- The National Assembly's approval for a refund of money to states has been rejected by President Buhari
- This was due to the fact that the money was increased beyond what had been initially approved
- The president said payments will proceed to states whose approved fund were the same as the National Assembly's own
President Muhammadu Buhari has rejected the National Assembly’s approval for refund of N488.7 billion to state governments for projects they executed on behalf of the federal government.
The Nation reports that this was contained in a letter the president sent to the Senate and read out by Bukola Saraki on Tuesday, December 18.
The president noted that the National Assembly violated the provisions of the Public Procurement Act, 2007 as the Federal Executive Council (FEC) approved a total of N487.8 billion for the purpose, before the he National Assembly jerked up the figure to N488.7 billion.
He said the National Assembly approved N890 million higher than that approved by FEC. He said: “While FEC approved reimbursement to 25 states, the National Assembly approved reimbursement to 21 states.
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“The National Assembly did not approve any reimbursement to four states, that is, Bauchi, Delta, Kogi and Taraba, whereas FEC approved reimbursement for them.
“Note that the amount approved by the National Assembly for reimbursement to 21 states is higher than the amount approved by FEC for reimbursement to 25 states.”
President Buhari noted the amounts presented to the National Assembly for approval were duly certified for reimbursement by the Bureau of Public Procurement before they were approved by FEC.
“I wish to request that you forward to us details relating to the amounts approved by the National Assembly for the 17 states in excess of what was certified by BPP, for necessary verification and approval. Furthermore, I wish to request for a review of the reimbursement earlier submitted in favour of Bauchi, Delta, Kogi and Taraba states."
The president said in cases where the amount approved is the same as what the National Assembly presented, reimbursement will proceed. He identified the states in this category as Adamawa, Jigawa, Kano and Niger.
Second, the president said: “where the amount approved by the National Assembly was higher than the amount approved by FEC, the amount approved by FEC would be paid.”
The benefiting states on this are Akwa Ibom, Anambra, Ebonyi, Benue, Edo, Ekiti, Enugu, Gombe, Imo, Kwara, Lagos, Ondo, Ogun, Osun, Oyo, Plateau and Zamfara.
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In the case of Bauchi, Delta, Kogi and Taraba that were excluded in the approval, the president said they would not be refunded until their consideration by the lawmakers.
Meanwhile, Nigerian Police Force (NPF) early on Tuesday morning, December 18, barricaded the National Assembly building following the industrial action by civil servants under the aegis of the Parliamentary Staff Association of Nigeria.
Legit.ng learnt that the officers' action prevented workers from gaining entry. The main entrance close to the Eagle Square has also been barricaded with patrol vans.
The security operatives also frisked journalists, construction workers, vendors and a few who they felt should be allowed in.
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Source: Legit.ng
