September 10, (THEWILL) – The Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) has given the 36 State Governors a week ultimatum to disclose details of spending of the N2 billion palliative received from the Federal Government.
In August, the Federal Government announced a N5 billion palliative package for each State of the Federation, including the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), to cushion the effect of the removal of the fuel subsidy.
Last Friday, the Minister of Finance, Wale Edun, said the Federal Government has released only N2 billion from the N5 billion loan it offered to each State as a palliative to cushion the effect of subsidy removal.
However, in a statement issued on Sunday, by its Deputy Director, Kolawole Oluwadare, SERAP asked the 36 State Governors to “disclose details on spending of the N2 billion palliative recently disbursed to each State by the Federal Government, including the names of beneficiaries and details of the reliefs so far provided with the money.
“It is in the public interest to publish the details on spending of the N2 billion palliative and any subsequent disbursement of funds to your government.
“Nigerians have the right to know how their States are spending the fuel subsidy relief funds. It is part of their legally enforceable human rights.
“We would be grateful if the recommended measures are taken within seven days of the receipt and/or publication of this letter. If we have not heard from you by then, SERAP shall take all appropriate legal actions to compel you and your state to comply with our request in the public interest.
“The oversight afforded by public access to the details of the spending of the N2 billion palliative and any subsequent disbursement would serve as an important check on the activities of your state and help to prevent abuses of the public trust.
“The constitutional principle of democracy also provides a foundation for Nigerians’ right to know details on spending of the N2 billion fuel subsidy palliative. Citizens’ right to know promotes openness, transparency, and accountability, which is in turn crucial for the country’s democratic order.
“The effective operation of representative democracy depends on the people being able to scrutinise, discuss and contribute to government decision making, including on the fuel subsidy relief funds.
“Your state cannot hide under the excuse that the Freedom of Information Act is not applicable to your state to refuse to provide the details being sought, as your state also has clear legal obligations to provide the information as prescribed by the provisions of the Nigerian Constitution, and the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights (Ratification and. Enforcement) Act.
“SERAP urges you to invite the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) and the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) to jointly track and monitor the spending of the N2 billion fuel subsidy palliative and any subsequent disbursement of public funds to your state.”
About the Author
