Politics
Again, govs besiege Buhari for bailout
Governors of the 36 states of the country, under the aegis of the Nigeria Governors’ Forum (NGF) have resolved to approach President Muhammadu Buhari to seek the Federal Government’s assistance to address their dwindling economies.
The governors lamented, that they could no longer afford to pay the minimum salary of N18, 000 due to dwindling allocations and revenues arising from fallen crude oil prices.
They lamented that they need more bailout funds to meet their financial needs and tackle provision of infrastructure in the various states.
This was made known by the Chairman of the Forum and governor of Zamfara State, Abdulaziz Yari, while speaking with journalists at the end of their meeting held at the Banquet Hall of the Presidential Villa, Abuja, on Thursday.
The NGF also backed the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) over the N2.1trillion fine slammed on MTN, which it said must be paid in full.
Read also: Economy: Buhari wants to borrow N2.1tn
Reading the communiqué issued at the end of the meeting, Yari, said states could no longer bear the N18, 000 minimum wage that was imposed on them when oil sold for $126 per barrel as against its present cost of $41 per barrel.
He noted that the way out of the situation was the diversification of the economy with adequate attention given to agriculture and mining.
According to him, the governors “Resolved that we must look at ways to enhance revenue generation and at the same time look at ways to cut our overhead costs more especially the political office holders’ salaries and other overhead expenses.
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Oise Oikelomen
November 20, 2015 at 11:33 am
Yari and his fellow governors should stop telling us that the solution to the problem is diversification. We all already know that. What we do not know now, what we need them to tell us now, is the steps they are taking in that direction. These guys keep whining, and dashing to the FG for bailout as if PMB has a plantation of money bearing trees somewhere in Aso Rock. This is supposed to be a federal state for crying out loud.