The Nigerian Governors Forum (NGF) said on Wednesday that they will reconcile accounts
on the monies owed to states as the federal government has decided to recover N614 billion advanced to 35 states as budget support facility.
This is just as they condemned in strong terms the invasion of their residencies by security operatives, the matter has been taken to President Muhammadu Buhari and the Inspector General of Police to make sure the unlawful act does not reoccur.
In a communique issued after a crucial meeting in Abuja on Wednesday, Chairman of the forum and Ekiti state Governor, Kayode Fayemi explained the governors are never averse to payment of loans that they took under legal environment and do not want a situation that will put financial and banking system into Jeopardy.
“If you borrow, you pay. We are never averse to payment of loans that we took under legal environment and we don’t want a situation that will put our financial and banking system into Jeopardy.
“However, governors believe that we are ready to pay, we also have a duty to ensure a reconciliation of account as far as moneys owed to states may be concerned and that is the process that is ongoing.
It is a storm in a tea cup when we read about governors refusing to pay. We don’t have such an issue, we are ready to pay,” Fayemi said.
Further on the invasion of residences of governors, he said the Forum was briefed by the chairman Governor Kayode Fayemi Governor of Ekiti State on the meeting between the Forum and the President first, and later the Inspector General of Police on the unlawful invasion of some governors’ residences, in direct violation of the immunity of the Governors.
Fayemi however revealed the resolve of the governors to collaborate with the Nigerian Union of Journalists (NUJ) especially around the issues of security particularly when they work in hostile environments.
“The Forum received a briefing on the status of the world bank assisted State Fiscal Transparency, Accountability and Sustainability Program for results (SFTAS), the team from the World Bank assured the Forum that all assessments now imply that States have improved in transparency ratings over the last quarter.
“The Forum also received, in session, the new Country Director of the World Bank, Shubham Chaudhuri whose tour of duty commences on 1st October 2019. He replaces Ben Masoud after his four (4) year tenure in Nigeria,” it stated.
On flooding that has devastated communities across the country, the governors assured they will adhere strictly to the Nigeria Meteorological Agency (NIMET) advise that the country should expect above average rainfall which has already resulted in severe flooding in several States.
“The Forum listened to a presentation by the Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN), which highlighted the issues around inadequate transmission and sought governors’ commitment to improve the power situation in the country. The Forum resolved to partner TCN to improve power supply nationwide,” it stated.
