The Edo State chapter of the All Progressives Congress has urged Governor Godwin Obaseki to give an account of the 13 per cent derivation fund that the Federal Government released to all oil-producing states.
River State Governor, Nyesom Wike, had last week in Port Harcourt said the projects he carried out in the state were made possible by the over N9trn derivation fund released by the Federal Government to all Niger Delta states.
Speaking at a press briefing on Monday, Chairman of the state APC, Col. David Imuse (retd.) called on Obaseki to tell the Edo people what he did with the state’s share of the money.
He said, “We call on Governor Obaseki to tell Edo people the total amount the state government received as 13 per cent derivation fund arrears dating back to 1999.
“We also like to see the development projects in the oil and gas producing communities of Edo State which he dedicated the arrears of the 13 per cent derivation funds for, if any. We want a full list, the amounts involved and the contractors who did the jobs.
“The governor should also explain why he has deliberately refused to specify amounts received as 13 per cent derivation fund in his 2023 budget estimates.”
Imuse noted that Obaseki had continued to malign the Federal Government of printing money to fund statutory allocation, but found it difficult to account for the derivation fund given to the state.
He also condemned the plot by the state government to issue residency identity cards, stating that citizenship was granted to all Nigerians by birth or naturalisation.
He advised the Governor to key into the National Identification Number scheme by urging residents to register and liaise with the government to get the data of all Edo residents.
When contacted, the Commissioner for Information and Orientation, Chris Nehikhare, said he would respond to the allegations.
He had yet to do so as of press time.
