Governor Douye Diri has said the 13% oil derivation funds accruing to Bayelsa State were being prudently spent, mostly on infrastructure development.
The Governor insisted that his government has nothing to hide and that the state’s monthly allocations from the Federation Account to the state had always been made public through its monthly transparency briefings.
Governor Diri who spoke in Yenagoa explained that what the state received as 13% derivation refund from the time of the previous administration was being paid in instalments after it had been discounted.
He equally stated that the amount did not make much impact in terms of development as the cost of construction in a difficult terrain such as Bayelsa State was three or more times higher than what is obtained elsewhere in the country.
Meanwhile, the Edo State Government says it has only collected three tranches of N700 million making a total of N2.1 billion as part of the N28 billion due to the State as its share of the 13% derivation fund which will be released within a period of five years in 20 instalments.
Also Read: Delta State Govt. accuses FG over 13% derivation
This disclosure was made at a briefing by the State Commissioner for Finance, Joseph Eboigbe in Benin City, the state capital
State Commissioner for Communication and Orientation, Chris Osa Nehikhare who made reference to a comment ascribed to the one-time National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress, APC and former Governor, Adams Oshiomhole over the amount collected by Edo State while campaigning in Delta State.
Nehikhare noted that the Godwin Obaseki-led administration is one of the most frugal and transparent Government to preside over the affairs of Edo State in recent times.
(Editor: Terverr Tyav)
