Illegal deductions: Govs to reject federalallocations

Governors under the aegis of Nigeria
Governors Forum, (NGF) on Monday night
gave indication that they were ready to
continue their agitation for sound fiscal
federalism in the country.
At the end of their meeting, which was held at
the Rivers State Governor’s Lodge, Asokoro,
Abuja, the governors resolved not to receive
any allocation from the Federal Government,
which fell short of compliance with the
Appropriation Act. The governors had since
directed the finance commissioners of their
respective states, “to reject any allocation
that is not in accordance with the
Appropriation Act, 2011.”
The forum also rejected all illegal deductions
that amounted to N1.079 trillion for nine
months in excess of the budgeted sum of
N240 billion for oil subsidy for the year in
clear violation of the Appropriation Act, 2011
and the Nigerian Constitution.” The
communiqué signed by the Chairman of the
NGF and Rivers State Governor, Rotimi
Amaechi reads:
“The forum commended the decision of the
states’ commissioners for finance and
accountants general for rejecting the illegal
deductions of N231.6 billion at the October
2011 FAAC meeting, noting that the lawful
deductions for the year have been fully made;
“The forum unanimously rejected all illegal
deductions that amounted to N1.079 trillion
for nine months in excess of the budgeted
sum of N240 billion for oil subsidy for the
year in clear violation of the Appropriation
Act, 2011 and the Nigerian Constitution;
“Members noted that the total deductions for
last year was N500.6 billion which has more
than doubled to N1.264 trillion in the first
nine months of this year suggesting
erroneously that consumption has increased;
“Finally, members directed the commissioners
for finance to reject any allocation that is
not in accordance with the Appropriation
Act, 2011.”