By Ayo Kehinde
President Buhari
President Muhammadu Buhari in a letter to the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Femi Gabjagbiamila urged the approval of the money to four states of Bayelsa, Cross River, Ondo, Osun and Rivers for federal roads rehabilitated on behalf of the Central government.
The Speaker, Gbajagbiamila read the Presidential letter on the floor of the House on Tuesday.
According to the request, the refund, which stands as promissory notes to the benefitting states gives Bayelsa N38b, C/River, N18b, Ondo N7.8b, Osun N4, 5b and Rivers, N78.9b.
The Federal Executive Council, FEC, presided over by President Muhammadu Buhari, had Wednesday, June 3, approved a total sum of N148, 141,987,161.25 as reimbursement of funds expended on federal roads by some state governments.
States listed to benefit include Cross River, N18,394,737,608.85; Ondo, N7,822,147,577.08; Osun, N2,468,938,876.78; Bayelsa, N38,040,564,783.40, and Rivers, N78,953,067,518.29.
Rivers state governor, Nyesom Wike, who had issued statements within a month of the first hint at the presidential move, first to praise Buhari for the move and later to clear the air that the state was yet to receive the money, would certainly be assured the money is coming.
In Ondo where incumbent governor Oluwarotimi Akeredolu is campaigning for re-election, this looks more than a windfall to buttress campaign promises, more so for cash strapped Osun and Bayelsa, which was recently rated as one of the lowest three insolvent states unable to finance borrowed loans, according to reports by civil society finance accountability group, BudgIT.
