For the first time in the year 2020, 36 state governors under the aegis of Nigeria Governors Forum (NGF) are currently meeting in Abuja over N614 bn bailout which was offered to states as facility loan and is being deducted by the federal government from allocations of states.
The governors are also discussing how to approach mortgage banks to ensure mass housing to solve accommodation issues in their various states.
They intend to cement partnership of State Governments on Citizens’ Home Ownership programme, with the MD/CEO of Federal Mortgage Bank.
Present at the meeting are governors of Ekiti, Osun, Ondo, Kogi, Kebbi, Plateau, Yobe, Niger, Delta, Kaduna, Jigawa, Nasarawa. Those of Gombe, Borno,Oyo, Kogi, Anambra, Enugu, were represented at the meeting by their deputies.
The meeting is coming ahead of the National Economic Council (NEC) which may likely hold on Thursday at the Presidential Villa.
Chairman of the forum and governor of Ekiti State, Dr. Kayode Fayemi is presiding over the meeting.
Recall that the bailout was granted to the states by the Federal Government in 2016 to offset salaries and pensions arrears.
Although the governors are kicking against the deductions, calling for extension of repayment period from 20 to 30 years.
But the the Federal government instead, has reduced the monthly repayment from N252 million to N162 million, based on the extension.
Details later…
Solomon Ayado, Abuja
