Excess Crude Account: State Governors Insist on $1bn pre-Xmas Payment

Governors Forum in Germany

The Plagued Nigerian fuel sector seems to be headed towards doom as fuel crisis intensifies.

After paying N881billion, this year as subsidy claims, the Federal Government has N100billion outstanding subsidy claims to settle.

Accompanied by Governors Kayode Fayemi (Ekiti), Martins Elechi (Ebonyi) and Deputy Governor of Sokoto State, Mukhtar Shagari, Governor Ibrahim Dankwambo (Gombe) while speaking to reporters at the end of the National Economic Council (NEC) meeting said verification of claims by the suppliers was still ongoing.

Responding to questions on the governors’ request for $1billion (N157b) from the excess crude account notwithstanding the fact that both parties (Federal Government and states) arranged that the case should run full course at the Supreme Court, Shagari said States are indebted to their contractors and they need the money to upset the debts.

“It was agreed that the court issue should continue so as to finally lay the issue to rest and this should not be as a dispute between the Federal Government and states.”

In another development, the council stated that the states involved should appear before the National Assembly to defend their debt procedure.

According to Fayemi, the council assured states that the Federal Government was willing to fund them to service their contracts.

He said the reimbursement will commence next year, all pending monies will be paid in due time.

He also said the verification has been concluded.

In addition, Council approved the setting up of complementary security outfit.

For security reasons, the governors said council agreed that from now on, “No one should drive around with an unidentified number plate.”

This was decided on after the National Security Adviser, Col. Sambo Dasuki, briefed them on security issues in the country.

Fayemi said the council ordered the Office of NSA to proceed to collaborate with states and expedite action on stopping the use of siren, which has been abused.

The council called on states to develop a grazing plan and submit for approval and publication to help stop fights between herdsmen and host communities.

The council also endorsed Nigeria’s centenary celebration, which is to commence early next year and end early 2014.

A committee was also set by the council on multiple taxation on telecommunication services, members of the committee are, governor of Gombe as chairman, governors of Kwara, Oyo, Abia, Edo, vice chairman NCC, minister of communication Technology, FIRS and four members each of telecom operators.

Finally, the building of a national broadband and ICT infrastructure was endorsed by the council.

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