- As Buhari says: Our troops have crushed Boko Haram, flushed insurgents out of Sambisa forest
Some of the 33 governors whose states benefitted from the recent refund of N553 billion excess deductions are desperate to keep details of the financial transactions from the public.
They do not want their civil servants in particular to have the details so that the workers will not be able to blackmail them as they did in respect of the bailouts.
President Muhammadu Buhari had approved the release of N522.74 billion to states as refunds pending reconciliation of records.
In directing Finance Minister Kemi Adeosun to release the money to the states, Buhari said workers’ welfare, particularly salaries and pensions, must be prioritized.
Some states were accused of diverting the N300billion bailout first given to them last year and abusing the loan restructure worked out for them by the Debt Management Office (DMO).
Many states are still owning their workers for several months and there are fears that some of the governors are less interested in using the refunds to meet their financial obligations to the workers.
Informed sources said in Abuja yesterday that the Presidency is likely to show more than a passing interest in how the states deploy the refunds and may even monitor the use of the cash.
It was also learnt that the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) and the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) are also going to keep tabs on the utilization of the bailout funds by governors.
The refund sheets had been obtained by the anti-graft agencies as at press time.
The Nation gathered that the governors prevailed on Adeosun not to make details of what they got public to avoid fresh confrontation with workers.
The breakdown per state remains a secret at the Ministry of Finance in line with the agreement with the governors.
Following protest by states against over deductions for external debt service between 1995 and 2002, 33 states were listed as beneficiaries with each of them entitled to a cap of N14.5 billion being 25% of the amounts claimed.
Minister Adeosun said the payment of the claims will enable the states offset outstanding salaries and pensions which have been “causing considerable hardship.”
The presidency asked the states to devote a minimum of 50% of any amount disbursed to address the challenges associated with salaries and pensions.
Investigation by our correspondent revealed that presidency had asked the 33 states to use 50 per cent of the bailout funds for “challenges associated with salaries and pensions.”
Security reports have however indicated that some of the governors have refused to disclose the amount actually given to their states.
Findings confirmed that some of the governors have devoted only 10 to 25 per cent of the bailout to payment of backlog of salaries
A reliable source in government said: “The presidency has received reports that some state governors were not forthcoming on the actual refunds paid to them. In fact, the row over the figures has caused tension.
“Some state governors have openly come out to declare that only a fraction of the bailout funds will be used for salaries and pensions. There is a state which purportedly received about N5billion, but it only earmarked N1.5billion, leaving outstanding wages unaddressed.
“The President will be personally upset if these bailout funds are diverted or converted to other use by the governors. The presidency is already monitoring development in all the states.
“If the bailout funds are not judiciously used, the presidency may not be disposed to such interventions in future.”
It was difficult at press time to get the exact figures of what was released to each of the 33 states.
In the meantime, Nigerian troops have flushed out Boko Haram ragtag forces from their long held fortress, Sambisa Forest, an emphatic indication that Nigeria has dealt a crushing blow on the seven year old insurgency.
President Muhammadu Buhari broke the news himself in a special message to Nigerian troops fighting under Operation Lafiya Dole, “I am delighted at, and most proud of the gallant troops of the Nigerian Army, on receipt of the long-awaited and most gratifying news of the final crushing of Boko Haram terrorists in their last enclave in Sambisa Forest.
“I want to use this opportunity to commend the determination, courage and resilience of troops of Operation Lafiya Dole at finally entering and crushing the remnants of the Boko Haram insurgents at “Camp Zero”, which is located deep within the heart of Sambisa Forest. “I was told by the Chief of Army Staff that the Camp fell at about 1:35pm on Friday, December 23, and that the terrorists are on the run, and no longer have a place to hide. I urge you to maintain the tempo by pursuing them and bringing them to justice.
“I, therefore, call on all Nigerians to cooperate and support the Nigerian Armed Forces and other security agencies by providing useful information that will expose all the terrorists hiding among the populace. Further efforts should be intensified to locate and free our remaining Chibok girls still in captivity. May God be with them.
“I also want to congratulate and commend the able leadership of the Nigerian Army in particular and indeed, that of the Armed Forces in general, for making this possible. This, no doubt, will go a long way in improving the security situation not only in the North East, but the country in general. But we must not let our guards down. Once more, congratulations to our troops and all who, in one way or the other, contributed to this most commendable and momentous effort. May the Almighty continue to be with you.
” I wish you a Merry Christmas and a most rewarding and peaceful Year 2017 ahead.”
Nation with additional report from The Citizen
