Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) has said that Ministers of the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja and Governors of 36 States in Nigeria have diverted N40tn meant for local governments since 1999.
SERAP implore the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja, Nyesom Wike, and current Governors to disclose details of federal allocations meant for local governments since the return to democracy in 1999.
SERAP also stressed that, “to promptly invite the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) and the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) to investigate the actual disbursement and spending of federal allocations meant for local governments in your State and the FCT since May 1999 up to date.”
SERAP reaffirmed that, “Nigerians have the right to know the details of actual disbursement and spending of federal allocations” in each State and the FCT, going by the freedom of information request dated 27th of January, 2024 and signed by its Deputy Director, Kolawole Oluwadare.
SERAP on the other hand said, “States and the FCT should always publish information pertaining to their actual disbursement and spending of federal allocations meant for local governments.” Because its findings showed that the 36 States and the FCT “have received over N40tn federal allocations meant for the 774 local governments areas in the country and FCT all together”.
Oluwadare who stated that, “despite the country’s enormous oil wealth, ordinary Nigerians have derived very little benefit from oil money because of widespread grand corruption, and the culture of impunity of perpetrators in the country.”
The group told the governors and the FCT Minister that, “Opacity in the amounts of federal allocations actually disbursed to local governments in your State has continued to have negative impacts on the fundamental interests of the citizens and the public interest.”
SERAP expressed that, “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 consider appropriate legal actions to compel you and your State and the FCT to comply with this requests all in the public interest.”
“There must be total transparency in the actual disbursement and spending of federal allocations meant for local governments, it is fundamental to increase accountability, prevent corruption, and build trust in democratic institutions, and strengthen the rule of law for the public interest.”
“Transparency in the system would ensure that the allocations are not diverted into private pockets, personal use, and increase public trust that the money would be used to benefit Nigerians.”
