13% Derivation Fund Arears: CLO tackles Akwa Ibom politicians for fueling tension
13% Derivation Fund Arears: CLO berates Akwa Ibom politicians for fueling tension
By Moses Tom
A foremost internationally recognised human rights cum-good governance advocacy organisation, Civil Liberties Organization, CLO, has berated politicians in Akwa Ibom State for heating up polity over the 13% Derivation Fund Arears refunded to the State government.
The Akwa ]bom State Branch of the organization made the disclosure in a Press Conference on Wednesday, 30th November, 2022 at the Institute of Public Relations (NIPR) Image House, Information Drive, Uyo,
In a statement read by the state chairman of the CLO, Otuekong Franklyn Isong, the Organization also absolved Governor Udom Emmanuel of any wrong doing in the reception and management of the fund, stressing that its position is in line with its avowed commitment to hold public office holders accountable to the people and ensure probity, transparency, and accountability in government.
The CLO described “the tension and the furore surrounding the issue of 13% Derivation Fund refund as unnecessary and distracting”, having observed that the state government has been transparent on the issue.
“”CLO can confirm that the 13% Derivation Fund arrears refunded to the State by the Federal Government is reflected in the 2023 Appropriation Bill of Akwa Ibom State currently under consideration by the Akwa lbom State House of Assembly.
“”CLO’s findings further revealed that the 13%% Derivation Fund Arears refunded to the State by the Federal Government was captured as one of the sources of revenue accruable and to the account of the Government of Akwa lbom State in the Accountant General’s Audited Report tor 2021 and will be captured in the Accountant General’s Audited Report for 2022, Otuekong Franklyn Isong stated.
The organization expressed dismay that politicians in the state have been making political capital out of the issue through “deliberate misinformation and misrepresentation”, a situation it says can lead to a re-enactment of the 2011 pre/post electoral violence” in the state.
It enjoined the people to form the culture of appraising government independently devoid of external influence and incitement.
“”We wish to reiterate our earlier advisory to politicians in Akwa Ibom State that they should not allow their political ambitions to becloud their reasoning or tend them towards creating unease or tension in the State.
“”CLO is disturbed by tension that the issue of 13% Derivation Fund Arears refund is being used to create. Particularly wearisome is the resort by certain politicians to heat up the polity with incendiary and inciting statements.
“”CLO commends the Governor of Akwa lbom State. Mr. Udom Emmanuel, the government and people of the State and all the security agencies in the State for the sustenance of peace, which has earned Aiwa lbom State the enviable status of the most peaceful State in Nigeria in the past seven and a half years to the glory of God.
“”CLO observes with dismay that some politicians in the State are attempting to make political capital out of the statement credited to Governor Nyesom Wike of Rivers State on the 13% Derivation Funds Arears refunded to the State by the Federal Government through deliberate misinformation and misrepresentation of fact on the issue in a manner that is capable of fueling and derailing the course of governance, peace and security in the State.
“CLO. however, considers the tension and the furore surrounding the issue of 13% Derivation fund refund as unnecessary and distracting.
“”CLO cautions against any situation that can lead to a re-enactment of the 2011 pre/post electoral violence recorded in the state which several lives were lost and properties worth hundreds of millions of Naira were destroyed,” the organization warned.
The organization reported that, between March and June, 2022, it had embarked on a tour tracking projects executed and facilitated by Governor Udom Emmanuel-led administration.
“CLO also embarked on a three-month (March to June, 2022) tracking or projects executed and/or facilitated by the administration of Governor Udom Emmanuel from its inception in 2015 to the present year, 2022.
“The CLO team visited and inspected projects cutting across Works, Health, Aviation, Environment, Education, Agriculture and Industry.
“CLO had firsthand information on projects executed and/or facilitated by the administration. In summary, more than 50 road projects were inspected and found io be either completed or at various stages completion.
“On Industry, the CLO team visited the Jubilee Syringe Manufacturing Company, Kings Flour Mill, Metering Solutions Company, st. Gabriel Coconut Refinery, Lion Plywood Company, Rice Mill, the Plastic Making Factory, Tissue Making Factory, the Mimshac Automobile Manufacturing Plant and 21 Storey Dakkada Towers.
“On Aviation, the CL0 team visited the New International Terminal Building and the Maintain, Repair and Overhaul (MRO) Facility at the Victor Attah International Airport and lbom Air,” the statement read
