» Governors Ask Buhari To Share $1.6bn From NLNG Tax «

Governors of the 36 states have advised
President Muhammadu Buhari to share the
tax of the Nigeria Liquefied Natural Gas
(NLNG) to resolve the financial crisis facing
them.
Over 20 states are currently unable to pay
salaries as a result of a sharp fall in oil
revenue.
“Instead of NLNG paying $1.6 billion to the
federal government, we requested that it be
paid to the federation account so that it
could be shared amongst the three tiers of
government, so that we can also get
money to do one or two things,”
Abdulazeez Yari, governor of Zamfara state
and chairman of the Nigerian governors
forum, said at the end of a meeting with
Buhari on Tuesday.
“We proposed to Mr. President that instead
of being given bail out, that the funds for
jobs, projects that were done by the states
should be refunded by the federal
government. If the affected states can get
the refund, they can start paying salaries
without bail out.
“Secondly, we also brought to his notice
that most of the loans owed by the state,
some between four and seven years, if it
can be stretched to 20 years, the states will
be relieved and would be able to continue
other businesses including paying salaries.
“Also, we urged the president to follow the
constitution when it comes to money
sharing. Section 80 is very clear. That all
monies should go to the Consolidated
Revenue Account for the purpose, no
account should be kept anywhere because
this is what the constitution says.
“And Section 162 also is self-explanatory,
that whatever is going to happen to the
money will be after sharing to the three tiers
of government. That the NNPC or any other
revenue generating agency should not have
the first line charges.”
Apart from the governors of Bayelsa and
Plateau states, who were represented at the
meeting, the other 34 governors attended.