Senate President, Godswill Akpabio has revealed that each of the 36 state governors, received ₦30 billion (a total of ₦1.08 trillion from the Federation Account to cushion the effect of hardship and the high cost of food in their respective states.
Akpabio is know to always reveal what he believes is done behind the scenes, to the general public. Last year when the National Assembly (NASS), was proceeding on short break for Yuletide, he announced that the accounts of the members had been credited “Enjoyment Allowance”.
According to Akpabio, while the federal government released N2 billion of the N5 billion loan owed each state to governors, to fight hardship caused by the removal of fuel subsidy, an additional N30 billion was sent to them through the Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS).
Akpabio advised the governors to utilise the funds judiciously to reduce the high cost of food items and other challenges facing the country.
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“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 the ground,” Akpabio said.