The claim by President Bola Tinubu that the federal government released N573bn to states that incurred the denial of governors has prompted the presidency to clear the air on the issue.
“More than N570 billion has been released to the 36 states to expand livelihood support to their citizens,” Tinubu had said in his address to the nation on the Day 5 of the hunger protest.
The claim drew response from Nassarawa and Oyo governors who both said the sum was a loan from World Bank.
“This is yet another case of misrepresentation of facts. The said funds were part of the World Bank-assisted NG-CARES project—a Programme for Results intervention.
“The World Bank facilitated an intervention to help states in Nigeria with COVID-19 Recovery. CARES means COVID-19 Action Recovery Economic Stimulus.
“It was called Programme for Results because states had to use their money in advance to implement the programme.
“After the World Bank verified the amount spent by the states, it reimbursed the states through the platform provided at the Federal level.
“The Federal Government did not give any state money; they were simply the conduit through which the reimbursements were made to states for money already spent,” Gov. Seyi Makinde said.
The denial has got the presidency responding through the Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media and Publicity, Temitope Ajayi.
In a statement he released Ajayi wrote: “I think the issue is not whether it is a loan or grant.
“The point, as clearly stated in the President’s broadcast, is that the states got money.
“The amount, which is the second tranche under the COVID-19 livelihoods support scheme under the NG-CARES Programme funded by the World Bank, is N570 billion.
“The fact is states are getting needed support and funding to improve the lives of the people.
“The World Bank facility is guaranteed by the Federal Government because every multilateral loan must have a sovereign guarantee.
“This means the loan will be repaid by the Federal Government in case the sub-nationals are unable to.
“There should be no hue and cry by any governor really if the objective is to serve the people and make life better for the masses.
“The President is elected to make life better for citizens the same way the governors are elected to do the same in their respective states.
“President Tinubu will continue to work to expand the economy and enable shared prosperity for all Nigerians.
“He considers the governors as partners in progress and the job of nation-building.
“What can’t be denied is that the states have more resources to deliver better service to the people, especially in critical areas of education, healthcare, security and physical infrastructure like roads among others.”
