36 govs share N1.7 trn 'crude oil royalties'—Govt

The Governor of Nasarawa State, Mr Abdullahi says the sum N1.7 trillion royalties, comprising petroleum tax and excess crude oil funds had been shared among 36 Governors in Nigeria.

In an interview on Channels Television Politics Today, Governor Sule said the money, said the fund that was approved by President Bola few months ago, was meant to help develop their States.

He noted without regret that Nasarawa State government was allocated N57 billion share to settle part of the N58 billion financial obligations, including loans that were obtained by past administrations in the State.

He said, “We (Governors) started pursuing it (N1.7 trillion) from the last administration. That is what we called petroleum tax, excess crude and petroleum royalties and the rest of that, which were deducted”.

According to him, “I remember that the then Governor Nasir El-Rufai played a major role. At the end of the day, the total money came to about N1.7 trillion that was going to be shared”.

The Governor said, “The federal government under Tinubu about three months ago said, ‘in order to help the States to develop, we will release that money; And it was released.

“Nasarawa State was allocated N57 billion out of that money sometimes in May/June this year when the money came. The money came outside the Federation Account Allocation (FAAC).

“Nasarawa did not receive any Kobo because the N57 billion that was suppose to come to Nasarawa State, was used to settle the State’s debts between 2011 and 2019.

“The State then, had obtained bailout and budget support from the federal government.
And the total debt was N58 billion”, Governor Sule said.

He further stated that he was also told by the federal government ‘Therefore, your N57 billion, we are going to use it to pay up this loan facility that you (Nasarawa) have taken’.” “That is the money that was borrowed by last Government of Nasarawa”.

“The money was deducted as source from States that were indebted. However, there are some States that got N60— N70 billion from the fund, probably because they didn’t obtain much loans.

“Nasarawa State is happy because I have taken—off debts from the State — So, I am not complaining”, he said.