"SOME STATES ARE RICHER THAN GAMBIA, LIBERIA" SAYS DR NGOZI OKONJO IWEALA

The minister of Finance, Dr Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, has challenged the state governors to tell Nigerians what they do with the large allocations given to them by the Federal government. Dr Ngozi who delivered the 12th Convocation lecture of the Babcock University, Ilishan Remo, spoke on the topic: Transforming Nigeria’s Economy: Opportunities and Challenges, said some of the annual allocations of the states exceed that of some west-African countries like Benin, Gambia and Liberia. 

She said the FG cannot do it alone, she called on the state governments to be accountable to the citizens. Dr Ngozi is stated as saying:

“We all know that the federal government cannot do it alone. That is why we are reaching out to those in the private sector. But beyond that, we should also ask the states governments what their roles are. We are aware that issues such as education, health, road constructions are on the concurrent list which made them the priority of both the states and federal government.”

She highlighted the top 10 states receiving the highest allocation saying the states should likewise utilize the money given to them and not waiting on the federal Government to do it all. 

“We need to ask more questions; poverty eradication and building of infrastructure are not only by the Federal Government. In 2013, the top 10 allocations were going to the following states: Akwa Ibom, N260bn; Rivers, N220bn; Delta N209bn; Bayelsa, N173bn; Lagos, N168bn; Kano, N140bn; Katsina, N103bn; Oyo, N100bn; Kaduna N97bn; and Borno at number 10 with N94bn.