The Governor of Akwa Ibom State, Udom Emmanuel, has opposed the approval by the National Economic Council for the withdrawal of $1 billion from the Excess Crude Account by the Federal Government to fight the Boko Haram insurgency.
Emmanuel’s position was contained in a a statement on Friday.
He said it was unfortunate that the President Muhammadu Buhari-led administration had failed to express similar interest in the Niger Delta as it was showing in the North East.He said: “We are not too comfortable with the decision to part with $1 billion now. That is supposed to support developments by state governments and local government areas.
“The excess crude money is for the three tiers of the government and because we are supposed to use it to support what we are doing, we need to discuss more.”
Emmanuel is the second governor to oppose the release of the money.
The first was Governor Ayo Fayose of Ekiti State.
The NEC, which gave the approval, is largely made up of governors.
Speaking further, Emmanuel said: “I am not speaking for anybody, but I am speaking for myself, that as of today, we are being owed almost N140 billion for federal road projects. We have generated electricity and have sold it to the national grid, but we have not been paid for it.
“When we are discussing security, it’s not just one aspect. Let’s look at it in a holistic manner. What actually constitutes security threats to the whole country?”
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