National
Govs Demand A Bite Of Abacha Loot
By Emmanuel Aziken
The Nigerian Governors Forum has expressed concern over the unilateral utilization of recovered loots and constituted a committee to dialogue with the Federal Government on sharing the proceeds.
The governors decision during their 8th COVID-19 teleconference meeting came as the governors also raised objection to the Infectious Diseases Bill presently in the National Assembly. The governors have also raised a committee to dialogue with the National Assembly on the bill which they say directly relate with the states.
A communiqué of the NGF meeting signed by Governor Kayode Fayemi, the NGF chairman was obtained by GreenWhiteGreen.
Noting the continuing drop in revenues to the states, the communiqué stated thus:
“Following an update on the rising trend of deductions from revenues accruable to the federation account available for distribution to the three tiers of government, the Governors noted the threat this poses on the fiscal capacity of States to respond to the demands of the COVID-19 pandemic.
“Members also raised concern about the ownership and distribution of proceeds from recovered looted funds and accounts or investments funded as first line charge from the federation account.
“The Forum agreed to engage with the federal government to ensure that the governance arrangement of all federation-funded investments recognize State governments as shareholders in the distribution of proceeds and decision making.”
The $311 million allegedly looted by the erstwhile head of state according to the agreement reached between the Federal Government and the countries where the funds had been traced to is expected to be used in key projects including railways and the Second Niger Bridge.
On the Infectious Diseases Bill currently before the National Assembly, the NGF said:
“Following an update from the Governor of Sokoto State and Vice Chairman of the NGF, H.E Aminu Waziri Tambuwal, on the proposed Control of Infectious Diseases Bill, 2020 introduced by the House of Representatives, Governors raised concern with the lack of consultation with State governments who are at the forefront of the epidemic.
“The Forum resolved that the Bill should be stepped down until an appropriate consultative process is held, including a public hearing to gather public opinion and concerns.
“In the light of this, the Forum established a Committee comprising the Governors of Katsina, Sokoto and Plateau to lead a consultative meeting with the leadership of the National Assembly on the proposed Control of Infectious Diseases Bill, 2020. The NGF Secretariat was also mandated to comprehensively review the Bill and its implication on States.”
The NGF also expressed concern with the rising spate of COVID-19 cases in the country saying:
“The worrying trend urgently calls for additional measures by State Governors to ramp up capacity for testing, increase the availability of isolation beds to at least 300 per State, accelerate the procurement of additional personal protective equipment (PPE) and training for health workers, as well as the continued enforcement of interstate restriction of movement.”
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