Economic crises: CHRAN asks Eno, LG chairmen to account for monthly allocations

Etim Ekpimah

Center for Human Rights and Accountability Network (CHRAN), on Thursday, called on Governor Umo Eno of Akwa Ibom State and the 31 Local Government Areas Transition Committee Chairmen to account for the monthly allocations to the state and the LGAs from the Federation Account Allocation Committee since their assumption of office on May 29, 2023, and December 6, 2023, respectively.

According to CHRAN, the call is in fulfilment of its civic responsibility and core mandate of holding public office holders accountable to the people to ensure good governance in the country.

This was contained in a statement signed by Otuekong Franklyn Isong (Director) and Comrade (Barr.) Christopher Ekpo (Secretary) and made available to newsmen on Thursday.

CHRAN noted that it is aware that the Federal Government of Nigeria, a sequel to the fuel subsidy removal, has increased the revenue allocation to the states and the LGAs in the country.

It recalled that the Federal Government had released the sum of N5 billion and 3,000 bags of rice to the Government of Akwa Ibom State for the people of the state as palliatives to cushion the effect of the withdrawal of fuel subsidy.

“We urge the Governor of Akwa Ibom State to account for the N5 billion and the other palliatives released to the Government of Akwa Ibom State by the Federal Government.

“We request information from the Government of Akwa Ibom State on the mass transit buses that the state government proposed to provide from the N5 billion to mitigate the transportation challenges afflicting the people of the state as a result of the volatility of fuel price and galloping inflation.

“We also request information from the Government of Akwa Ibom State in respect of projects initiated by the State Government in the nine (9) months of Governor Umo Eno’s administration.

“The body further requests the Government of Akwa Ibom State to account for the hundreds of billions of Naira received from the Federation Account Allocation Committee, including the 13 per cent derivation funds,” CHRAN said.

It added that it has appraised the various LGAs in Akwa Ibom State and has noted the dearth of development projects even in the face of huge funds released from the Federation Account Allocation Committee to the Local Government Areas in the state. The body added that it requests information and an account.

CHRAN stated that it is alarmed by the prevailing exclusive class development in the State where only those in high places with affinity to the government enjoy the commonwealth of Akwa Ibom State leaving a sizable number of the people to scramble for crumbs and pushing the poorest of the poor into the abyss of abject poverty.

The human rights body stated that being a pro-people organisation, it is bothered by the prevailing negative trend of neglect and lack of transparency and accountability by governments in the State and urged Governor Umo Eno and the Chairmen of Local Government Transition Committees to account for the monies that they have received as heads of governments within their tenures so far and to strive to ensure that visible development is delivered expeditiously to the people.

CHRAN noted that it is aware of a recent widely published statement credited to the Senate President, Senator Godswill Akpabio, to the effect that apart from the first tranche of funds given to state governments, an additional N30 billion has been given to each State of the Federation through the Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS), distinct from allocations from the Federation Account.

“There being no rebuttal from the Government of Akwa Ibom State, CHRAN urged the Government of Akwa Ibom State to account for the said disbursement from the FIRS,” CHRAN said.