Govs seek refunds for FG projects as bailout

In efforts to generate more funds to meet their liquidity needs, state governors have resolved to approach the Federal Government to demand for refund of money spent on executing federal projects in their respective states.

This was one of the resolutions reached by the Nigeria Governors’ Forum (NGF) during their meeting in Abuja on Wednesday, where they argued that recovery of such debts was the only option before them since the Federal Government was also not liquid enough to bail them out.

NGF chairman and governor of Zamafara State, Abdullazez Yari who read the communiqué at the end of the meeting said the governors had agreed to meet with Buhari next week over the issue (debt payment).

He said, “We all know that the economy of the country is in a bad shape. So, what we suggested and agreed on was that a number of state governors have executed various projects for the Federal Government.

“So, instead of looking for that (bailout), let us ask the Federal Government to settle that backlog owed us so that we can move forward.

“In nearly all the states, you may have N10bn or N20bn owed. Like in Lagos, more than N50bn was spent on federal projects that are yet to be settled.

“So, if we can get that done, then most of the issues can be resolved in earnest. So, we are seeing the President next week.”

Yari added that the governors were threading softly because they were aware that some federal parastatal and agency workers were also being owed salaries.

Apart from this, Yari who will serve as chairman of the forum for one year, also said that the governors had agreed to hold a retreat on how states could enhance good governance and improve their revenue base.

Also speaking, Governor Adams Oshiomhole of Edo State stated that the problem facing the states was not payment of salaries alone, but meeting their obligations to all Nigerians.

He said that Buhari must stop the stealing of public funds by greedy Nigerians so that the country could move forward.

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