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FAAC Allocate N2.07 Trillion To Nigerian States
In February 2024, the Federation Account Allocation Committee (FAAC) distributed a staggering N2.07 trillion to Nigeria’s three tiers of government, derived from the previous month’s revenue influx.
FAAC’s allocation of N2.07 trillion is to reshape Nigeria’s economic landscape, empowering states to embark on crucial developmental projects for citizen welfare and prosperity.
In a bid to enhance productivity and eradicate vulnerabilities, Nigeria must pivot away from its current paradigm of unproductive federating units.
The nation’s trajectory towards sustainable development hinges on revitalizing states, fostering resilience, and reducing dependency.
Every citizen, irrespective of level, must remain vigilant against the misappropriation of resources earmarked for state growth and advancement.
Strengthening oversight mechanisms is imperative to curb wastage and promote effective resource allocation.
Mismanagement of resources at all levels has precipitated a decline in economic growth, exacerbating multi-dimensional poverty affecting approximately 133 million Nigerians, constituting 65% of the nation’s populace. Urgent reforms are indispensable to reverse this trend and uplift livelihoods.
Examining the allocation breakdown across states underscores the imperative for judicious resource allocation and management.
Each state’s share, reflective of its unique needs, demands astute governance and strategic investment for sustainable development.
Governors wield a pivotal role in fostering citizen welfare through prudent resource allocation towards critical infrastructure and developmental initiatives.
Prioritising citizens’ needs ensures optimal utilisation of resources for tangible socio-economic progress.
Transparency and accountability are paramount in managing public resources effectively. By fostering greater visibility and oversight, governments can mitigate wasteful expenditure, bolster efficiency, and curb corruption, ultimately fostering trust and confidence in governance.
Maximising resource utilisation guarantees a favourable return on investment for state governments, propelling economic prosperity and enhancing citizens’ quality of life. Strategic project management and prudent fiscal policies are indispensable for sustainable growth.
Governors’ propensity for extravagant spending has significantly contributed to the escalation of poverty levels in Nigeria.
Addressing systemic inefficiencies and promoting responsible governance are imperative to alleviate poverty and foster inclusive development.
Ameh Peter, Former National Chairman of IPAC and National Secretary of CUPP
Federal Government on Saturday explained why it awarded the Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway project to Hitech Construction Company Ltd.
The Minister of Works, Sen. Dave Umahi, made the explanation during an inspection tour of the highway project in Lagos.
“Some people say that it didn’t go through a competitive bidding.
“I want to explain this: we have three types of procurement allowed by law,” he said.
Umahi listed the three types as restrictive procurement, selective/competitive bidding, and open bidding.
“When we started this project, we asked for companies that have up to five wirtgne concrete paver.
“You will agree with me that until we started this, the concrete paver was not common in Nigeria as it is today.
“We had to look for a company that had done this kind of project before, and that is Hitech.”
He noted that Hitech reconstructed the Oworonshoki Apapa Road.
“We saw that they got it right; so, we called them on Section 1.
“Then, we used restrictive bidding, which we sent to BPP (Bureau for Public Procurement) and we sent to the Federal Executive Council and they looked at it and corrected where they should and passed it accordingly.
“When other companies started bringing in some equipment, because they saw that Ministry of Works is insisting, especially where we have high water table, that we must use concrete, they started to bring in concrete equipment,” he said.
Umahi said that the Federal Government consequently opened Section 2 of the project to selective bidding and selected some companies and they bid.
He said that Hitech won the bidding.
The minister said that in Section 3A and 3B, the same thing happened.
“We have not gone outside the law, we have not gone outside the Procurement Act.”
He emphasised that President Bola Tinubu did not recommend any company for the highway project.
“ I want to say that there is no corruption in it. It is very transparent,” he added. (NAN)
The police command in Lagos State has detained two suspects ages 27 and 32 for alleged armed robbery.
The command’s spokesperson, CSP Benjamin Hundeyin, confirmed the arrest to newsmen in Lagos on Saturday.
He said that the suspects were apprehended on Friday at 4:00 a.m. at Sangotedo, Lekki-Epe Expressway.
“The police on early morning patrol apprehended the two suspects.
“One automatic pistol and five live ammunition were recovered, ” the spokesperson said.
According to him, the suspects are currently undergoing interrogation for possible prosecution.
The Minister of Works, Sen. Dave Umahi, on Saturday clarified that he never said former President Olusegun Obasanjo should not use the Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway when completed.
Umahi made the clarification during an inspection tour of the highway project in Lagos.
He reacted to some comments to the effect that he said Obasanjo should not use the road for describing the highway project as wasteful.
“The point is that the former president is not only my former president, he is also my father and he is my in-law; so, I have my respect for him.
“ I never said the former president should not use the road.
“He is not the only one among the few criticising the road project.
“ I said, ‘If you say the road is not good, you have a choice to use it or not to use it.’
“That is what I said. I didn’t say the former president should not use the road,” Umahi told journalists during the inspection tour.
The minister said that the 700km road project was never wasteful but a vital investment with huge socio-economic benefits.
“If you say the project is wasteful, it is an ambiguous statement. Is it wasteful in the sense that it shouldn’t have been?
“Is it wasteful in the sense that we are going to be earning carbon credit from the concrete pavement and from solar light?
“Is it wasteful in the sense that along this corridor, we are going to have windmill energy connecting all the communities we are going through?
“Is it wasteful that it is from Lagos to Calabar? Well, we have the Sokoto-Badagry Highway project, which is 1,068km,” he asked.
The minister added that the Federal Government was executing a 462km Akwanga-Jos-Bauchi- Gombe Road project, among other projects.
“ Why then single out this one to say that it is wasteful?”
He said that travelling from Lagos to Calabar through the highway would take only five hours, reducing travel time.
“It is an evacuation corridor; so, the amount that the Federal Government spends in doing transhipment will be saved.”
Umahi said that in the next six months, section one of the highway project would be completed.
“Is it wasteful in the sense that this road is going to be passing a number of existing roads?
“Is it wasteful in the sense that the Bua Refinery, this is passing through it?
“Is it wasteful that it is going to be an evacuation corridor for Dangote Refinery?
“I cannot see the sense in saying that it is wasteful,” he added.
Umahi also said that the project had nothing to do with corruption.
He said that Obasanjo praised his administration’s transparency and achievements when he was the Governor of Ebonyi.
“He is my father. If a father suddenly says that his son is corrupt, it is up to the son to say he is not corrupt.” (NAN)