Chairman of the Nigeria Governor’s Forum Alhaji Abdulaziz Yari has said state did not received any bail out money from the federal government despite the assurances by President Muhammadu Buhari.
Yari however said the governors will continue to pester the government for their legitimate earnings in the federation account adding that the governors were prepared to work with the government to ensure state government and the federal government are self sufficient.
Speaking in Abuja after a NGF meeting on Thursday, Yari said: “The federal government has not given any bailout to any of the states.
“What had been shared last time was monies from NLNG and FAAC and as we have been saying, we have not been looking for bailout, instead, we have been looking for all monies that are in the coffers of the federation most especially we are talking about some of the monies that are hung around the coffers of government to be brought together for the purpose of sharing.
“The CBN governor raised some issues that taking the monies from those accounts most especially as our reserves are going down will affect the exchange rate and also the naira will have pressure so they decided to make the naira available or its equivalent so that those can be taken as loan to states for some of us complaining about the salaries.
“Therefore, we are not taking any bail out from the federal government and the federal government did not give us any bail out yet.
“But we are talking on how best the intervention will happen within these days so we will be able to settle the issue of salaries and other operations in government in the country.”
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The NGF boss also said the governors were ready to make the National Health Insurance (NHI) Scheme operational.
He continued: “discuss with the President to get lasting solutions to worsening micro economic challenges confronting the nation, especially on foreign exchange stability
“Work with the President to ensure coherent policy actions that will create a clear policy direction for the country and stimulate domestic production.
“Collaborate with the Federal Government to ensure that the National Health Insurance Act is operational; and the one percent funding for primary health care is provided for in the budget.
“Sequel to presentation made by the Country Representative of the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, Forum agreed to aggressively support the total eradication of polio in the country.”
Ahead of the meeting there were indications that the governors would demand for more bailout from federal government when the National Economic Council (NEC) meets at the Presidential Villa, Abuja.
It was gathered that some states are still owing workers’ salaries despite benefiting from the share of $2.1 billion from Nigeria Liquidified Natural Gas (NLNG) about three weeks ago.
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