BAUCHI GOV CALLS FOR OPENNESS IN OIL SUBSIDY, RESOURCE ALLOCATION
Bala Mohammed, the governor of Bauchi State, has urged the federal government to provide an explanation for why Nigerians no longer directly benefit from the nation’s oil and gas subsidies.
When Wale Edun, the Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, paid him a courtesy call on Monday in advance of the 2024 Conference for the National Council on Finance and Economic Development, which Bauchi state is hosting, Mohammed made the statement, insisting that the Federal Government be open and honest in how it distributes the nation’s resources.
Mohammed claims that since President Bola Tinubu’s administration took office, Nigerians have not profited from their oil and gas resources, hence the explanation is required.
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āIt is a miracle that we are one of the biggest oil-producing nations but we have not benefited for some time since you came on board.
āYou have to explain that this is what you are going through. That is inclusion. And if you donāt say it, nobody will know. But, some of us know.
āWe call this leadership and responsibilityā, he stated.
Speaking further, Mohammed emphasised that the Federal Government must double the effort in oil production and resources distribution to states stating, āYou have to make our oil and gas sector to produce. Not only to produce and sell but put it in our Treasury for distribution and sharing.
āYou must provide financial services to us at subnational. Financial services that will help us to enhance our productivity, and also use the resources wisely. Because without us, there will be no Federal Government.ā
Mohammed who affirmed his loyalty to the FG, despite his criticism, insisted that āAll we need is transparency and that people should be treated equally.ā
Speaking previously, Edun clarified that the visit was due to Bauchi State hosting the National Council on Finance and Economic Development Conference in 2024.
While appreciating Mohammed for hosting the conference, he hinted, āWhat goes on in this formal conference is very important because conversations will take place which would clarify things, build trust and confidence between individuals.
āOur understanding of each otherās situation, of each otherās financial and economic needs and even the resources and potential they possess and available, the skills, specialisation that is on the ground.ā
Edun went on to say that the nation could realize its full potential if it understood what it possessed on both an individual and collective level.