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Economic Confidential,
January 27, 2009
STATE NEWS
Federation Account: 22 Governors May Join
Suit Against FG
The remaining 22 States’ governors in Nigeria may join the suit instituted
by 14 states against Federal Government at the Supreme Court over
illegal deductions from the Federation Account and abuse of the
Excess Crude Account.
The Governors in Abuja also agreed that the current global economic
crisis is taking a toll on each state of the federation, saying it
may be impossible for them to implement the 2009 budgets as
proposed.
The governors who spoke after their meeting under the aegis of
Governors Forum held at the Kwara State Government’s Lodge, Abuja
declared that "The Forum expresses full support towards their
members who are in Supreme Court with Federal Government over
illegal deductions from Federation Account and agreed that going
forward all the states will eventually join in the suit and other
matters that affect members.
They also lamented the declining oil price which formed the basis
for budget proposals. They said the challenge posed by the recession
will top the agenda of the National Economic Council (NEC) meeting
in Abuja
Chairman of the Forum, Gov. Bukola Saraki of Kwara State who spoke
to newsmen after the meeting, said "The Forum acknowledged the
challenges of instability of the crude oil price which further
decline will critically affect implementation of states budgets and
agreed on the need to discuss this at tomorrow National Economic
Council meeting. How do we manage these challenges, the forum agreed
on the need for more transparency on the management of excess crude
account.”
On the health sector, the forum in its statement said: "We listened
to a presentation by the Hon. Minister of Health on qualitative
primary health and threat of polio epidemic. The Forum agreed to
partner with the Ministry to ensure polio is eradicated and primary
health care improved. A number of measures were agreed upon which
include: a new Motto- Keep my state polio free, promote strong
leadership at state level and encourage LGAs to provide leadership
to lead the campaign monthly and provide monthly polio data at SEC.
the forum agreed to partner with FGN (Federal Government of Nigeria)
on the Midwifery scheme, lastly agreed to buy into the Community
Health Insurance.
A six-man committee was set up by the body to look into the Plateau
State problem as well as find a lasting solution to the perceived
standoff between President Umaru Yar’Adua and Plateau State Gov.
Jona Jang. "As a response to the problem in Plateau State, the Forum
agreed to set up a six-man committee headed by the Governor of
Adamawa State with Governors of Kano, Ebonyi, Oyo, Rivers and Niger
as members to look into the issue and find lasting solution to it"
Kano State Governor, Oyo, Imo, Zamfara, Kwara, Bayelsa, Edo, Osun ,
Niger , Lagos deputy governors, among others, attended the meeting.
More on
this, click on:
Illegal Deductions: Apex Court Orders
FG, States to Settle Out of Court |
