Hardship: Akpabio exposes governors, says each state gets N30bn  to ameliorate inflation

Nigeria’s Senate President, Godswill Akpabio, has exposed state governors, saying each of them received N30 billion from the Federation Account to ameliorate inflation and the high cost of food in their respective states.

While the federal government said N2 billion was released to governors out of the N5 billion loan it offered to each state as a palliative to cushion the effect of the removal of fuel subsidy, Akpabio said information available to him indicates that an additional N30 billion was sent to them through the Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS).

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He, however, advised the governors to utilise the funds judiciously to reduce the high cost of food items and other challenges facing the country.

“We believed that every state government should utilise the funds received towards ensuring that food is available in the country. So, the state governments have a lot to do. They are closer to the people and I do not want to mention local government because most of the local governments are controlled by the state governors.

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“My belief is that if the state government does what is needed, then the local government will be involved in sharing to make sure that these things get to the people. But we must not overlook the fact that Nigerians are not going to be interested in stories.

“Nigerians want to see action. Nigerians want to eat and we will provide food for them, there is no excuse. Despite what we met on the ground,” Akpabio said.