How Newly Appointed PLASIEC Chairman Squandered and Embezzled Funds Meant For Civil Servants

Yakubu Busari

Plateau State Civil Servants has accused the newly appointed Plateau State Independent Electoral Commission (PLASIEC) Chairman of money laundering and embezzlement, as they also accused him of squandering primary school teachers and Local government staff funds that led to the death of many workers.

The senior civil servants who frowned at his appointment as PLASIEC Chairman called on him to resign, while other described him as the most corrupt permanent secretary who embezzled public funds.

The workers who alleged that Mr. Fibian Ari has siphoned primary school teachers and Local government staff fund which runs into millions for 5 years.

The group also accused the  APC government  ahead of 2017 proposed local government election in the state, saying that they will  not conduct free and fair election rather irregularities.

A member representing Irigwe/Rukuba at the Plateau House of Assembly complained that Governor Simon Lalong stampeded them without following due process by saying the Chairman should take a bow and leave.

“I don’t have any problem with the list of nominees, the governor has the right as the opposition we can’t object to his action”, he added.

The Tuesday sitting which was scheduled to screen and confirm the names of nominees sent to the state house of Assembly.

The Plateau state governor Lalong forwarded the list of Chairman and his commissioners for onward confirmation to enable the Independent Electoral Commission conduct Local Governments election in 2017 .

They are; PLASIEC Chairman   Mr Fabian Ari,(Qua’an pan) Comrade patrick maugim(Mikang), Joshua Nedong(Pankshin), Stephen Hirse(Mangu),Peter Adala, Lamindu Tangenze(Pengana), Hafistu Hassan(Wase),  James Dashan, Adala Peter Jos north respectively.

He said, the screening which witnessed series of complaints on the personality of the Chairman, were from many workers lost their job for non-payment that, he was also accused of opening an account where he put their salary in a fixed deposit.

Ahile cautioned that,”if  the present government is  claiming that they are  fighting corruption there is no clear indication that they’re going to fight  but they  denied members from asking PLASIEC chairman questions regarding the office he is about occupy.

Adding,”since what took place we can’t reverse the condition, we will not stop telling people about what APC government doing is not right. We remind the citizens of plateau that two brothers received appointment under Lalong in Qua’an pan which we consider as lopsided appointments.”

The Special Adviser, Media and Publicity, Plateau State, Mr Dan Manjang said the appointment of fibian and Joseph Ari has do with separate bodies one from federal and other state .

PLASIEC chairman Fibian Ari’s appointment is at the discretion of the state government.

He advised civil servants to realize that the accusation label against Fibian Ari has not been brought to the public domain and government has not received such report showing he was convicted by court.

Manjang explained that the state government has no knowledge of committee set up to investigate the activities, adding the present administration is not doing so bad and is not the worst government.

Lalong has been prompt with the workers’ salary not government of impunity but respect that response to the yearning and aspirations of the people of Plateau state.

He is paying salary as at when due.