NGF asks Okonjo-Iweala to account for $20bn

The Nigeria Governors’ Forum on Tuesday demanded explanations from the Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, on $20 billion being accruals for the Excess Crude Account for two years.

This was part of a communique issued at the end of a four-hour meeting which ended in the early hours of Tuesday at the Transcorp Hilton Hotel, Abuja.

The communique was read by the Governor of Rivers State, Rotimi Amaechi,  who announced that the NGF has reconciled and reunited as a single association of the 36 state Governors of Nigeria regardless of region.

He said the forum was demanding explanations on how accrued and how it was disbursed.

Amaechi said, “In the light of the fact that funds in the Excess Crude Account were last disbursed in May 2013, there is need for the Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, to provide explanations for accruals to this account from June 2013 to April 2015 which is estimated at over $20 billion.”

The communique also read in part: “The induction Programme for new and returning governors will be held in June 2015.

“It is also aimed at equipping new and returning governors with the knowledge of global best practices in establishing and running their offices.”

The governors also resolved to establish a Governors’ Forum Academy to be christened “The NGF Leadership Academy,” which will be responsible for capacity building of Governors and other officials holding public offices.

The forum congratulated the President elect, Mohammad’s Buhari, over his electoral victory and also congratulated President Goodluck Jonathan for conceding defeat.

Amaechi, whose tenure has expired, unveiled Governor Abdulaziz Yari of Zamfara State,  as his successor. Yari emerged as Chairman by concensus. He is to serve for a one-year period: May 2015 to May 2016.

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