The controversial directive by the Nigerian Financial Intelligence Unit (NFIU) through its guidelines on Local Government Funds tops agenda as the Governors of the 36 States of the Federation meet in Abuja.
The Nigeria Governors Forum (NGF) are currently will discuss the update of NFIU. The meeting is presided over by Governor, Kayode Fayemi of Ekiti state, NGF Chairman.
The NFIU had in May stopped the governors from tampering with the monthly allocations of the local government areas in their states.
The NFIU had announced a ban on transactions on state and local governments joint accounts, arguing that such accounts are only transitional accounts from where funds should go directly to the accounts of local governments.
The NFIU had also placed a limit on cash withdrawals from local governments accounts to a maximum of N500,000 per day. It had warned banks to ensure strict compliance.
The governors had described as illegal the NFIU’s ban on transactions on state and local governments joint accounts, arguing that such accounts are only transitional accounts from where funds should go directly to the accounts of local governments.
Briefing newsmen at the end of the meeting, Governor Fayemi said “The Forum was briefed by the deputy chairman H.E Aminu Waziri Tambuwal Governor of Sokoto State on the meeting between the Forum and the African Development Bank, the officials came in company of existing and potential Chinese investors in Nigeria. The meeting “as part of a series of high-level engagements driven by the AfDB to promote the establishment of Special Agro-promoting Zones (SAPZs) in Nigeria. SAPZs which will bring together the farming and and processing community have the potential of attracting about $1 billion from the AfDB and up to $4 billion with the entry of private sector investors.”
He also said that the forum received briefing on the country’s push towards polio free certification having gone three years without wide polio virus.
” Following an update from the NGF Secretariat on Basic Health Care Fund (BHCF), State Hcatth Insurance Agency and the fact that Nigeria has been polio-free for 3 years and on the verge of being certified polio free, members resolved to continue to support the actualization of universal health coverage in the country,” he said.
The Forum also received a presentation on Polio eradication from Rotary Intemational Nigeria PolioPlus Committee, led by the Chairman Dr. Tunji Funsho.
Fayemi said “the Governors expressed willingness to prioritize routine immunization coverage in the States which will ensure that Nigeria is declared polio free and ensure sustainability moving forward.
The Forum, he also said received a presentation on the forthcoming State of the States Conference scheduled to hold from 26 27 November 2019, from Scott Sheldon the Managing Director of CWC. Governors pledged to back with the team from CWC to deliver on the objectives of the conference.
Also on the agenda is the Panel on Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and Climate Change at the upcoming United Nations General Assembly, among others.
Also in attendance are deputy chairman of NGF and governor of Sokoto, Aminu Tambuwal.
Others are: Okezie Ikpeazu (Abia), Umaru Fintri (Adamawa), Udom Emmanuel (Akwa Ibom), Willie Obiano (Anambra), Samuel Ortom (Benue), Bala Mohammed (Bauchi), Godwin Obaseki (Edo), Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi (Enugu), Abdullahi Ganduje (Kano), Dairu Ishiaku (Taraba), Abubakar Badaru, (Jigawa), Ifeanyi Okowa (Delta), Emeka Ihedioha (Imo), Seyi Makinde (Oyo), Dapo Abiodun (Ogun), Ganiyu Oyetola (Osun) Aminu Masari (Katsina), Prof. Babagana Umara (Borno) and Bello Matawalle (Zamfara).
The Cross River Deputy Governor, Prof. Ivira Esu represented Cross River State.
