President Tinubu should demand accountability from Governors before releasing N2 Trillion package
…Beam Searchlight On Benue Gov
President Bola Tinubu on Thursday, announced that his administration will inject N2 trillion into the economy within the next six months. State governments are to receive a huge percentage of that money. The President’s announcement sent waves of excitement across the 36 states of Nigeria as the state governors who have been in eldorado since coming on board last year are already wagging their tails and eagerly waiting for another bountiful package after they have received multi billions from the Federal Government.
A statement issued by Aloysius Gbakaan President,
ALLIANCE FOR TRUTH AND JUSTICE, said many of the Governors, like that of Benue State, Hyacinth Alia have zero transparency and accountability record. No one knows what the governor does with the billions that his government receives from the federation’s account monthly and the numerous other interventions that President Tinubu has been sending to the state including palliative funds.
We urge Mr President to know that the funds he has been sending to the states are not reaching the ordinary citizens of the country. The state governors, like Hyacinth Alia of Benue State are solely in control of the funds and have been using the billions to live a life of affluence buying expensive houses and other properties in different parts of the world. Releasing the N2 trillion package to the governors without asking them for accountability will further increase the pains of the poor people.
It is essential that transparency and responsible financial management be prioritized to ensure that these funds are utilized effectively for the benefit of all Nigerians.
In particular, we would like to draw President Tinubu’s attention to the case of Governor Hyacinth Alia of Benue State, who lacks transparency and accountability in the management of state funds. With a record of questionable financial practices, it is crucial that Governor Alia and other governors be held to account for the funds they receive from the federal government and other interventions.
Benue State has received over N250 billion in allocations for state and local governments plus other monetary interventions just within one year. Despite the influx of funds from the Federal Government, Governor Alia has not done anything commensurate with the unprecedented improved financial fortunes of the state. He has chosen to focus on the bare minimum of governance and embarked on white elephant projects known as underpasses at High Level in Makurdi and at Gyado Junction in Gboko. Local government funds are also being squandered by the Alia government without any form of accountability.
We implore relevant agencies of the Federal Government to request the state governors, particularly Governor Alia of Benue State to provide detailed reports on how previous funds have been utilized before receiving the N2 trillion windfall. This will help prevent misuse of public funds and ensure that the money is used for its intended purpose of stimulating the economy and improving the lives of Nigerians.
We equally call upon the Benue State House of Assembly to take action and demand a comprehensive report on the expenditure of state resources under Governor Alia’s administration in accordance with the fiscal responsibility law of the state. It is the duty of the legislature to oversee the management of public funds and hold the governor accountable for his actions.
The House of Assembly should specifically demand a detailed explanation on how the over N250 billion the state got in the first year of Governor Alia in office was appropriated at the state and local government levels. The Governor should also be asked to account for the N5 billion palliatives his administration received and Benue’s share of the N50 billion that President Tinubu released to five northern states to help them combat insecurity.
By promoting transparency, accountability, and good governance, we can build a stronger and more prosperous Nigeria for all its citizens. We trust that the relevant Federal and State authorities will take the necessary steps to ensure that the N2 trillion package benefits the people of Nigeria as intended.
