By Freshgist
At the peak of hunger Crises, The Center for Human Rights and Accountability Network (CHRAN) has urged The Akwa Ibom State Governor, Pastor Umo Eno to account for monthly allocations received from the federal government for almost 9 months .
In a statement jointly signed by the State Director of CHRAN, Otuekong Franklyn Isong and his Secretary, Barrister Chris Ekpo and made available to newsmen in Uyo yesterday, called out the 31 Local Government Areas Transition Committee Chairmen in the State to follow suit by accounting for the monthly allocations to their Local Government Areas from the Federation Account Allocation Committee since their assumption of office in December 6, 2023 respectively.
CHRAN stated in parts "the call is in fulfilment of its civic responsibility and core mandate of holding public office holders accountable to the people and ensuring good governance in the country.
"That it is aware that the Federal Government of Nigeria, sequel to the fuel subsidy removal, has increased the revenue allocation to the States and the Local Government Councils in the country.
"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.
"That 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.
CHRAN also requested for 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.
CHRAN further requested 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 percent derivation funds to the oil producing states in the Niger - Delta which Akwa Ibom is a beneficiary.
CHRAN stated that, it has appraised the various Local Government Areas in Akwa Ibom State and has noted the dearth of development projects even in the face of the huge funds released from the Federation Account Allocation Committee to the Local Government Areas in the State. CHRAN requested for information and account.
"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.
"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.
"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), different from allocations from the Federation Account.
"That, 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".
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