AKINWALE ABOLUWADE
Governor Seyi Makinde of Oyo State has faulted the claim by the Senate President, Godswill Akpabio, that in addition to their statutory revenue allocations, the 36 states were given N30 billion each to address food insecurity, describing it as untrue.
Makinde, who doubles as the Vice Chairman of the Nigerian Governors’ Forum, said this on Thursday, in Iseyin, where he inaugurated the newly-renovated multi-billion Naira Iseyin Central Mosque facilitated by Ahmed Raji, SAN.
The governor, emphasizing that Oyo State did not receive N30 billion from the FIRS or the Federal Government, said that his administration would maintain openness and transparency.
Makinde added that the state government was working hard to cushion the effect of the economic hardship on the people, saying that leaders should instill confidence and hope in the citizenry at this trying time rather than playing blame game.
According to him, neither Oyo State nor any other state got N30 billion from the Federal Government or its agency. Governor Makinde decried what he described as Akpabio’s reliance on unverified reports, clarifying that it was impossible for states to get funds from the Federal Inland Revenue Service, since all revenues go into the Federation Account and belongs to the Federal Government, states and the local government councils.
He claimed that the fund that Oyo State got from the Federal Government outside of statutory allocation was N2 billion out of the N5 billion promised to all states in the wake of the removal of fuel subsidy. He explained that the Federal Government had asked for a refund of the N2 billion.
Makinde said, “This is a very difficult period in our nation’s history because all of us are aware of what we are going through economically. But for us as an administration, I can say we are the first in Nigeria to announce and implement measures on the 9th of June 2023, to cushion the effect of this policy through SAfER.
“We have been doing our bit. And, the reason I came here is for us to talk to ourselves and intensify prayers. So, this is one of the edifices through which we can reach God, though we have done our bit. We have health insurance for our own people, we gave farm inputs to our farmers but, at this stage, we need to cry to God.
“For the workers, we have been paying a wage award; N25,000 for workers and N15,000 for pensioners, and we have paid for close to six months. Only last week, I announced an extension for another six months so that we can have the time to conclude the discussion on minimum wage.
“Well, we know there is much to be done and we will continue to do everything within our power to support our people through this hard time. This is not the time to play politics, as we have real issues that deserve real solutions. But yesterday, I saw the video and read in the news where the Senate President, Sen. Godswill Akpabio, made a statement, though he said it was unverified report, stating that the state governments received additional N30 billion from the Federal Inland Revenue Service, FIRS, outside of our statutory allocation, in the last few months, to address food security.
“I can speak for Oyo State and I can also speak for any of my colleagues. This is because as the Vice Chairman of Nigeria Governors’ Forum, I know when things are happening. If I want to play politics, I will keep quiet and let this slide, but I am not going to let this slide. FIRS cannot give money to any state. It is not possible. All revenues accruing to the country goes into the federation account and it is distributed to all tiers of government. The FG does not give states money. The money in the federation belongs to all of us; it does not only belong to the Federal Government.
“So, if the Senate President, who is the number three citizen in this country, could be quoting an unverified report, people are looking at us as leaders. This is the period that we are supposed to give confidence to our people. It is not the period to start playing politics or to start looking for scapegoats. We need to engage with our people.
If our policies are not working, we need to listen to the people and amend. So, if the number three citizen had nothing but unverified report, why did he need to say it? Does his statement give confidence to the people or solve the problem of hunger and anger in the land? Let me say it clearly, as for Oyo State and for most of my colleagues, there is nothing like N30 billion being given to states for food security and I stand to be challenged.
“Yes, the Federal Government promised the states N5 billion and out of that it only gave N2 billion and they are even asking that the N2 billion should be refunded right now. It is the responsibility of the Federal Government to manage the fiscal situation in Nigeria and manage the inflationary trend we have in the country right now.
“We have been transparent about everything we are doing here and this is the time for us to stay together as a nation to solve the problems we are facing. It is not the time to engage in blame games and propaganda. Hunger and anger are real and, as leaders, we must address them.”
