Buhari to rescue governors again, states to get N20bn each for FG projects

– President Muhammadu Buhari will refund N2obn to each state

– The refund is for funds the state governments spent on federal projects

– This was disclosed by the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Honourable Yakubu Dogara

The Speaker of the House of Representatives, Honourable Yakubu Dogara has disclosed that the federal government will refund about N20 billion to each state for funds they had spent on federal projects in their state.

Dogara made the disclosure when he paid a courtesy call on the traditional ruler of Ogwuekpele in Anambra state, Igwe Valentine Onyema Ogidiga, at the weekend.

Dogara was in the state to launch the constituency projects embarked upon by Honourable Obinna Chidoka, representing Idemili North/South constituency in the lower house.

Dogara however urged the state governments to further deploy the funds to providing more critical infrastructure when they get the refund.

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His words: “With regard to debts being owed the states, I can announce that very soon, a chunk of that money will be given to the states. It is being processed and I know that no state will get less than N20 billion from the money that is coming.

“That will be something substantial in the hands of the governors. They will be able to translate that money into development so that they support the diversification programmes of the federal government. 

“Without capital you cannot invest, so these are the two things that this government is devoted to. By doing so, Nigerians can have enough capital, they will get the needed infrastructure for the establishment of functional industries, for the evacuation of either solid minerals or agricultural products.” 

However, a senior official in the ministry of finance told Thisday that he was unaware of plans by the federal government to pay at least N20 billion to the states.

“The ministry is not aware of this plan. What we know is that claims have been made by the states on monies spent on federal projects.

“On this, the minister of power, works and housing, Babatunde Fashola, was appointed chairman of a review committee to verify these claims.

“The committee is yet to submit its report. So we are not aware of where the speaker got his information from,” the unnamed official said.

READ ALSO: President Buhari departs for another official assignment outside Nigeria

Meanwhile, President Muhammadu Buhari has reportedly caved into pressure from governors in his party to withdraw the list of 46 non-career ambassadorial nominees.

Most of the governors under the All Progressives Congress (APC) kicked against the nomination and protested against the president’s decision.

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