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Governor Seyi Makinde has insisted that he stands by his claim on the Federal Government’s withholding of NLNG dividends due to states and local governments.
The governor made this known on Sunday night in his response to the Presidency statement, describing his claim as false.
Governor Makinde in a statement by his Special Adviser Media, Dr Sulaimon Olanrewaju, declared that he is “ready to provide further clarification while we urge the presidency to address the substance of the matter.”
According to the governor, the response by the Presidency on the NLNG issue “sidestepped the central issue: the Nigeria Governors’ Forum (NGF), with the Federal Government’s support, engaged a consultant to reconcile NLNG dividend payments”.
“We have read the Presidency’s response to Governor Seyi Makinde’s statement on the Federal Government’s withholding of NLNG dividends due to states and local governments,” he said.
Governor Makinde added, “The response sidestepped the central issue: the Nigeria Governors’ Forum (NGF), with the Federal Government’s support, engaged a consultant to reconcile NLNG dividend payments.
“The exercise identified a shortfall of about ₦9 trillion due to states and local governments. The Federal Government accepted the findings.
The report remains in the custody of both the Federal Government and the NGF. We trust the Presidency will not deny its existence”.
Governor Makinde stressed, “The Presidency stated that NLNG had paid $21.5 billion in dividends into the Federation Account since inception, including $3 billion received under the current administration. But it did not explain how these funds were disbursed.
“Have states and local governments received their shares? How much did they receive, and how were those amounts calculated? What happened to the $3 billion received under this administration?
“We remain ready to provide further clarification while we urge the presidency to address the substance of the matter.”
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