Akwa Ibom Governor, Pastor Umo Eno, and the 31 Local Government Transition Committee Chairmen in the state are told to account for their monthly allocations from the Federation Account Allocation Committee (FAAC) from May 29, 2023 to December 6, 2023.
In a press release by Center for Human Rights and Accountability Network (CHRAN) signed by Otuekong Franklyn Isong, its Director and Comrade (Barr.) Christopher Ekpo, its Secretary, CHRAN stated that the call is in fulfilment of its civic responsibility and core mandate of holding public office holders accountable to the people and ensuring good governance in the country.
It noted that it is aware that the Federal Government of Nigeria, sequel to the fuel subsidy removal, has increased the revenue allocation to the States and the Local Government Councils in the country.
Recall that the Federal Government had released N5 billion and 3,000 bags of rice to the Akwa Ibom government for the people of the state as palliatives to cushion the effect of the withdrawal of fuel subsidy.
The civil society urged the Akwa Ibom Governor to account for the N5 billion and the other palliatives released by the Federal Government to the state Government.
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CHRAN requested for information from the Akwa Ibom government on the mass transit buses that the State Government proposed to provide from the N5 billion to mitigate the transportation challenges affecting the people of the state as a result of the volatility of fuel price and galloping inflation.
The body also sought information from the Akwa Ibom government in respect of projects initiated by the State Government during the nine-month-old Governor Umo Eno administration.
‘‘The Government of Akwa Ibom State to account for the hundreds of billions of Naira received from the Federation Account Allocation Committee, including the 13 percent derivation funds.
‘‘It has appraised the various Local Government Areas in Akwa Ibom State and has noted the dearth of development projects even in the face of the huge funds released from the Federation Account Allocation Committee to the Local Government Areas in the State. CHRAN requested for information and account.
‘‘CHRAN is alarmed by the prevailing exclusive class development in the State where only those in high places with affinity to the government enjoy the commonwealth of Akwa Ibom State leaving a sizable number of the people to scramble for crumbs and pushing the poorest of the poor into the abyss of abject poverty, it stated.
‘‘Being a pro-people organisation, it is bothered by the prevailing negative trend of neglect and lack of transparency and accountability by governments in the State, and urged Governor Umo Eno and the Chairmen of Local Government Transition Committees to account for the monies that they have received as heads of governments within their tenures so far and to strive to ensure that visible development is delivered expeditiously to the people.’’
CHRAN stated that it is aware of a recent widely published statement credited to the Senate President, Senator Godswill Akpabio, to the effect that apart from the first tranche of funds given to State Governments, an additional N30 billion has been given to each state of the Federation through the Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS), distinct from allocations from the Federation Account. There being no rebuttal from the Government of Akwa Ibom State, CHRAN urged the Government of Akwa Ibom State to account for the said disbursement from the FIRS.
