A’Ibom faults right group over alleged allocations to state, LGs
The Akwa Ibom State Government has criticised the leadership of the Centre for Human Rights and Accountability Network in the state, led by Franklyn Isong for calling for a probe into the federal allocation to the state and the 31 Local Government Transition committees.
Isong had in a statement made available to newsmen said he was aware that the Federal Government, following the removal of fuel subsidies, increased allocations to states, noting that it has released N5bn and 3,000 bags of rice to Akwa Ibom State as palliatives to cushion the effect of the withdrawal of fuel subsidy.
“CHRAN is aware that the Federal Government, sequel to the fuel subsidy removal, has increased the revenue allocation to the states and the Local Government Councils in the country.
“The Federal Government had released the sum of N5 billion and 3,000 bags of rice to the Government of Akwa Ibom State for the people of the State as palliatives to cushion the effect of the withdrawal of fuel subsidy.
“CHRAN urged the Governor of Akwa Ibom State to account for the N5 billion and the other palliatives released to the Government of Akwa Ibom State by the Federal Government” Isong stated.
He also requested information on the mass transit buses that the state government proposed to provide from the N5bn to mitigate the transportation challenges afflicting the people of the state as a result of the volatility of fuel prices and galloping inflation.
He further requested that the state government account for the hundreds of billions of naira received from the Federation Account Allocation Committee, including the 13 per cent derivation funds.
But a statement by the Chief Press Secretary to the Governor, Mr. Ekerette Udoh, on Saturday described Isong’s statement as a cocktail of lies intentionally manufactured to smear the government of the day.
The statement is titled ‘That Franklin Isong’s manufactured lies and smear campaign’
It read in part, “The state government received the sum of N2 billion from the Federal Government and this was given as a loan facility which the state government is expected to pay back. The state government, as we speak has been asked to pay back the loan.
“No new funds have been released to the state government, and once the balance of the remaining N3 billion is paid, Franklyn Isong, as a member of the Palliatives Committee will be informed.
“Again, it bears repeating, that, of the promised N5 billion from the Federal Government, it is the N2 billion that has been released to the state government so far as a loan facility which the state is expected to pay back.
“The state government, had augmented the kind gesture of the Federal Government with additional billions of naira and several additional bags of rice, which Franklyn Isong, as a member of the committee, is well aware of.
“Mr. Isong again, made another factually incorrect assertion when he said an additional N30 billion has been given to each state of the Federation, quoting a source attributed to the Senate President, Distinguished Senator Godswill Akpabio.
“If Franklyn Isong is making a prophetic pronouncement of an expected N30 billion to the state coffers, we join him to say ‘may his prediction come to pass and quickly too.’
“For now, however, the state government has not received such funds as confirmed by the Deputy Chairman of Nigeria’s Governors’ Forum, His Excellency, Governor Seyi Makinde of Oyo State.
“We know that this is a season for grandstanding and indulging in blame- game, but we believe a civil organization that is worth the name on its letterhead should do a minimum fact-checking before rushing to make wild and libellous assertions.”
(Punch)
