HOW STATE GOVERNMENTS SHARED N1TRILLION IN SIX MONTHS

Sir,

HOW STATE GOVERNMENTS SHARED N1TRILLION IN SIX MONTHS

It was quite revealing reading the front page of Nigerian Compass newspaper dated November 8, 2010. The story was entitled “States got N1 trillion in six months”. The story had riders thus: “. Richest: Akwa Ibom N104 bilion, Rivers N99 billion, Delta N90 billion and “. Poorest: Kwara N16 billion, Ekiti N16 billion, Ebonyi N16 billion”.

The analysis was comprehensive and gave out state-by-state and positions 1 to 36. It covered details on monthly basis for the six months - January to June 2010. The analysis did not take into account the internally generated revenue of the States
Funny enough trailing Bayelsa N49.9 billion (4th) at the 5th position was Lagos State with N48.5 billion (below half of what Akwa Ibom and Rivers got). And Lagos is a State that has population about four times that of Akwa Ibom.

Ironically Adamawa that considered the recently approved N18, 000 minimum wage as too low for Nigerians came distant 22nd position and only received N19 billion from the federation account within the six months under review and with low potential for internally generated revenue; whereas Akwa Ibom State that received the highest of N104 billion and with higher potential for internally generated revenue and with population about equal to that of Adamawa is telling his workforce that it cannot pay more than N13,000 as minimum wage.

Kwara State which ranked amongst the poorest (received only N16 billion) for some time now ensured that there are no more power failures in the State. It also constructed the first flyover which now looks like status symbol for some State governments like Akwa Ibom that can boast three of such but which has failed to ensure that its populace enjoy uninterrupted power supply from the IPP that was more than 85% completed before the advent of the present administration there.

Analysis also showed that Kano and Oyo (two States considered populous as well) only received N31 billion and N23 billion, ranking 7th and 12th respectively. Cross River now the most peaceful in the south-south and neighbouring Akwa Ibom was distant 28th with N18 billion though above Gombe State (29th) that got N17 billion.  Gombe government was able to achieve many projects including building a viable airport, supply of potable water and a power station. Ogun State ranked 23rd; received only N19 billion.

Engineer Etim George, Plot 239 Ozumba Mbadiwe, Victoria Island, Lagos State.