Senate President, Godswill Akpabio
By Richard Otega Enyeh
‘Despite collecting a staggering sum of N32 billion from the coffers of the federal government by state governors, citizens are still still complaining of hunger, which indicates that the governors have more work to do’.
This much was disclosed by the Senate President, Godswill Akpabio during the plenary on Tuesday.
Akpabio, said an “unverified report” indicated that state governors received N30 billion each from the Federation Account to ameliorate inflation and the high cost of food in their respective states.
Last September, the federal government said N2 billion was released to governors out of the N5 billion loan it offered to each state as a palliative to cushion the effect of the removal of fuel subsidy.
Akpabio added that information available to him indicates that apart from the first tranche of funds given to the governors, an additional N30 billion was also to them through the Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS).
“I must say that unverified report has it that each of the state governments in the last few months has received additional N30 billion from Federal Inland Revenue Service outside their normal allocations from the Federation Account to assist them in ameliorating the food situation,” he said.
The senate president advised the governors to utilise the funds judiciously to reduce the high cost of food items and other challenges facing the country.
“We believed that every state government should utilise the funds received towards ensuring that food is available in the country.
“So, the state governments have a lot to do. They are closer to the people and I do not want to mention local government because most of the local governments are controlled by the state governors.
“My belief is that if the state government does what is needed, then the local government will be involved in sharing to make sure that these things get to the people. But we must not overlook the fact that Nigerians are not going to be interested in stories.
“Nigerians want to see action. Nigerians want to eat and we will provide food for them, there is no excuse. Despite what we met on ground” Mr Akpabio added.
