The Plateau State government and the opposition African Democratic Congress (ADC) are bickering over alleged N10.11 billion expenditure on traveling and transportation by the state government within six months.
ADC had tackled the governor over what it described as “great concern the reported financial recklessness, questionable expenditure and alleged mismanagement of public resources.
In a statement sent to Daily Trust in Jos, Publicity Secretary of the party, Silas Audu Wettok, said it is the duty of the party to demand accountability whenever public resources are expended without clear evidence of commensurate value to the people.
“Recent reports on state government expenditures indicate that Plateau State reportedly spent approximately ₦10.11 billion on travelling and transportation-related expenses between January and June 2026 alone. If this figure is accurate, it is deeply disturbing and demands immediate explanation from the government.”
“The people of Plateau State deserve to know: What exactly accounted for ₦10.11 billion in travelling expenses within just six months? Who travelled, where did they travel to, for what official purposes, and what measurable benefits did those journeys bring to the people of Plateau State?” the ADC asked.
In a reaction to the ADC’s statement, State commissioner of Information and Communication, Joyce Ramnap, said public funds are spent judiciously under the current administration.
Clarifying the issue, Ramnap said the Muftwang administration is committed to transparency, accountability, prudence and responsible management of public resources to enable citizens properly understand the nature and composition of the expenditure.
“For the avoidance of doubt, Government wishes to set the record straight, the said amount does not represent expenditure on the travels of the Governor or Government House. It is an aggregate expenditure covering travel, transport and related activities across the wider Plateau State public service, including Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs), tertiary institutions, the Judiciary and the Plateau State House of Assembly, as well as statutory personnel-related entitlements.”
“For instance, a detailed review of the expenditure shows that the Muslim Pilgrims Welfare Board, leave passage entitlements across the Public Service, and training-related travels by various MDAs accounted for the largest share. These were followed by the training of Plateau State University lecturers abroad, the Christian Pilgrims Welfare Board, judiciary-related travels, and approved official travel-related expenditures for the Plateau State House of Assembly.
“Among these expenditures includes Government’s sponsorship of 200 students on scholarship to India, medical assistance to citizens abroad and other related official engagements undertaken in the interest of the State and its people.
“It is important to note that Governor Mutfwang has undertaken only three international trips outside Nigeria between January and June, 2026, the period covered by the report. All of these visits were for clearly defined official engagements.
“In January, he travelled to the United States at the invitation of the organisers to attend the Presidential Prayer Breakfast, an important engagement that provided opportunities to build strategic networks and explore partnerships with potential benefits for Nigeria and Plateau State.
“In March, he travelled to the United Kingdom as part of the President’s delegation, and subsequently undertook another official visit to the UK in June to attend an international dialogue on Multi- faith coexistence. It is gratifying to further note that during the visits he pursued partnerships and explored opportunities in tourism, and other critical sectors aimed at attracting investment, expand economic opportunities, strengthen partnerships, enhance development, improve the living conditions of citizens, facilitate access to social amenities and ultimately raise the quality of life of the people of Plateau state.
“The Plateau State Government, therefore, reassures citizens that it will remain open, accountable and responsive, while continuing to uphold the highest standards of financial discipline, transparency and responsible governance in the collective interest of the people of the State,” the commissioner added.
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