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  • SPECIAL REPORT: NGF keeps mum on ecological funds spendings amidst calls for probe

    SPECIAL REPORT: NGF keeps mum on ecological funds spendings amidst calls for probe

    The Nigerian Governors’ Forum (NGF) has maintained deafening silence and an unusual calm, as calls mount for probe into the disbursement and utilization of ecological funds occasioned by the 2022 floods described as Nigeria’s worst in a decade.

    TheNewsGuru.com (TNG) reported that despite early predictions and warnings, heavy rainfall and the release of water from several dams resulted in severe flooding across 31 states in the country, killing 600 people, displacing more than 1.3 persons and destroying over 70, 000 hectares of farmlands.

    The devastation also cut petrol supply to some parts of the country, hiked the prices of transportation, foodstuffs and other commodities, increased the number of out-of-school-children and exacerbated Nigeria’s economic crisis, leading to calls for probe into ecological fund spendings.

    The Ecological Fund under the Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (OSGF), was established in 1981 to set aside and manage a pool of fund that would be solely devoted to the funding of ecological projects to mitigate serious ecological problems.

    The Fund known as Derivation and Ecology Fund, which initially constituted one per cent (1%) of the Federation Account, was later increased to two per cent (2%) in 1992 and all States and Local Governments receive their share of the Fund as part of their monthly allocation at the Federal Account Allocation Committee (FAAC) monthly meetings.

    However, over the years, the utilization of this Fund has remained a subject of controversy and allegations of corruption and mismanagement have undermined the ability of the government to tackle soil erosion and climate change challenges across several parts of the country.

    Moreso, reports by both the Auditor-General for the Federation (OauGF) and Nigeria Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative (NEITI), indicate mismanagement and diversion of the Funds.

    According to the 2016 Auditor-General’s report, examination of FAAC records revealed that a total amount of N48,601,928,311.08 was received into the Ecological Fund in the year, but the sum of N28,239,060,570.89 representing about 58 per cent was paid out as loan to carry out various activities that were not related to development of natural resources.

    “We recommend that henceforth, the federal government deploys these special funds only for the stated objectives of the funds,” the then Auditor-General for the Federation Anthony Ayine stated.

    Similarly, a NEITI report examining the period between 2012-2016 revealed that a total of N276.51 billion was allocated to the Fund, but disbursements from the fund were made to beneficiaries outside the purpose of setting up the Fund, while ecological projects were abandoned due to lack of funds.

    The House of Representatives in June mandated its Committee on Ecological Fund to investigate the total consolidated mandatory accruals into the Ecological Fund from 2010 to March 2022 and evaluate the disbursement of the Fund in line with the provision of the 1999 Constitution, but the outcome of this probe is yet to be made public.

    In the same vein, the Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP), has called for a prompt and thorough investigation into the spending of Ecological Fund by governments at all levels—federal, state and local governments from 2001 to date.

    “Suspected perpetrators of corruption and mismanagement should face prosecution as appropriate, if there is sufficient admissible evidence, and any missing public funds should be fully recovered,” SERAP’s deputy director Kolawole Oluwadare said in an open letter addressed to President Muhammadu Buhari on 22nd October.

    Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media and Publicity Garba Shehu, has confirmed that each of the three tiers -the local government, the state government and the Federal Government – has a sizeable budget at its disposal, allocated monthly precisely for dealing with state-level natural emergencies such as flooding.

    “It is not clear why some of the state governments in question are not already drawing upon those funds to tackle the current emergency, and the general population is misguidedly calling on the Federal Government to intervene in all situations,” Shehu said.

    He stressed that the structure of the federation provides a process for responding to emergencies such as flooding, adding that states should be made to explain how they had deployed their share of the Fund.

    Interestingly, State governors have remained mum over the matter. ThenewsGuru.com (TNG) recalls that in 2016, state governors under the aegis of the NGF, demanded for the immediate disbursement of ecological fund to their respective states.

    Former Chairman of the Forum Abdulaziz Yari of Zamfara State, said the Governors were “seriously concerned” about the environment – the desertification in the North, oil and gas spills in the South-South and erosion in the South-East – and needed the funds to tackle these challenges.

    “We have a lot of funds in the ecological stabilisation funds. Those funds are not being discussed at National Economic Council. We will like to have this fund available every month because those funds are federation funds and we are having so many problems. We need the money,” Yari said.

    The NGF said it had examined the issue of flooding across the length and breadth of the country in which some states were severely affected and decided to take necessary steps to ameliorate the conditions of the states affected by flooding via a strong representation to the president, but said nothing about the ecological funds which States draw from monthly.

    Human Rights Lawyer Femi Falana said instead of inciting citizens to demand an explanation which will be ignored by state governments, the federal government should submit a petition to the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission for the investigation of the mismanagement of the ecological fund which is a crime against humanity.

    Falana said “the mismanagement of ecological fund is a crime against humanity because it is responsible for the loss of many lives, displacement of millions of people, and destruction of properties worth trillions of Naira.

    “In particular, the federal government has failed to release money from the ecological fund to the affected states. On their own part, the various state governments have equally failed to provide relief materials for the victims.”

    SERAP also added that although ecological funds are shared across the three tiers of government, and emergency management agencies, the funds are managed and supervised by the Federal Government and as such, the Buhari-led government had the legal obligations to hold all tiers of government and emergency management agencies to account.

    “Your government has the legal obligations to address the calamitous consequences of flooding for the human rights of millions of people, and to prevent and address some of the direst consequences that climate change may reap on human rights, especially given the disproportionate impact on vulnerable people and communities.”

    “Your government must use all means available to it to prevent and address the threats to human rights that result from climate change, and to provide access to effective remedies for victims when these rights are violated,” SERAP said.

    Since 2015, 332 ecological projects have been approved, out of which the Presidency claims 266 were accomplished while the remaining 66 are at different stages of completion.

     

  • SPECIAL REPORT: 86% Nigerians lack access to clean water as FG’s push for Water Resources bill meets resistance

    SPECIAL REPORT: 86% Nigerians lack access to clean water as FG’s push for Water Resources bill meets resistance

    The reintroduced National Water Resources bill which seeks to provide for the equitable and sustainable development, management, use and conservation of Nigeria’s inter-state surface water and groundwater resources, has remained a subject of controversy among stakeholders.

    Just like the 2020 version, the bill sponsored by House of Representative member Sada Soli, vests the control of ground and surface water in the hands of the federal government and proposes to make it mandatory for one to obtain a license before using water that is considered public for domestic or commercial purposes.

    Some lawmakers in the green chambers raised objections to the bill when it was reintroduced at plenary on July 29, saying it was not different from the version rejected by the 8th Assembly, and the Speaker of the House of Representatives Femi Gbajabiamila, directed the chairman of committee on rules and business Abubakar Fulata, to make copies of the bill available to lawmakers to study before further deliberation.

    Clause 10 (1) of the bill stipulates that, “it shall be the duty of the minister to promote the protection, use, development, conservation, and management of inter-state water resources throughout Nigeria and to ensure the effective exercise of powers and performance of duties by institutions and persons identified under this bill and in the constitution.

    It further states in Clause 10 (2 and 3) that “the minister shall have the power to make regulations, policies and strategies for the proper carrying out of the provisions of this bill and…shall have and exercise reasonable powers as are necessary and required in furtherance of the duties and functions conferred pursuant to this bill, the directives of the President, or any other law.”

    Meanwhile, according to UNICEF, sustainable and equitable access to safe drinking water remains a challenge in Nigeria, with over 86 per cent of Nigerians lacking access to a safely managed drinking water source.

    Only 30 per cent of the population in Nigeria’s north are said to have access to safe drinking water and adequate sanitation.This contributes to high prevalence of waterborne diseases and a threat to the livelihoods of smallholder farmers.

    Access to clean, portable water is also now viewed as an equality issue as in most cases, women and girls have the responsibility of fetching water and are disproportionately affected by poor sanitation and hygiene facilities.

    Controversies and rejection of the bill

    In a communiqué signed by the Governor of Ekiti State and Chairman of the Nigerian Governor’s Forum Kayode Fayemi, the 36 state governors unanimously rejected the National Water Resources bill which they say is inconsistent with the provisions of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria and does not adequately address the interests of the states, calling for a review of the bill.

    Similarly, a communiqué issued at the end of the colloquium of the Indigenous Peoples within Nigeria hosted by the Malcolm Omirhobo Foundation on 23rd September, described the bill as “illegal, unlawful and unconstitutional”.

    It noted that the Land Use Act was promulgated to give the state governors absolute power over land within their states and this position cannot be taken away via the National Water Resources bill, or through any other bill.

    “If the National Water Resources Bill is passed into law, it will give Federal Government exclusive dominance and control on waterways which will further impoverish Nigerians in riverine states who depend on waterways to generate revenue internally,” the communiqué read in part.

    It also urged the Nigerian Government to immediately dredge the River Niger and Oguta lake to be navigable and reopen, activate and develop the Warri, Calabar, Koko, Onne and Port Harcourt sea ports, to create jobs and promote socio-economic activities in the country.

    No going back on National Water Resources bill – FG

    The Nigerian Government has insisted there is no going back on its plans to amalgamate already existing Water Resources laws for the development and management of the country’s water resources, through the controversial bill.

    Minister of Water Resources Suleiman Adamu, said in a recent interview that there was nothing unusual about the bill which seeks the overall benefit of all Nigerians, including those vehemently opposed to it.

    “If states like Kebbi, where River Niger comes in, or Adamawa where River Benue flows in decide that they want to control the water at that point, what will happen to the downstream communities?

    “That is why, since independence, our constitution has made it that the water that flows across interstate or inter-regional boundaries as it were at that time, the responsibility for that should be vested in the federal government,” Adamu said.

    The Minister explained that the National Water Resources bill, takes into account the rights of citizens to access safe water and basic sanitation, as well as meet the basic human needs of present and future generations and reducing poverty.

    Global best practice in water management

    The Integrated Water Resources Management (IWRM) approach has been accepted internationally as the way forward for efficient, equitable and sustainable development and management of the world’s limited water resources and for coping with conflicting demands.

    The United Nations notes that in many regions, the availability of water in both quantity and quality is being severely affected by climate variability and climate change, causing demand to outstrip supply and advises that the traditional fragmented approach to the management of water resources was no longer viable and a more holistic approach was required.

    “Water is a key driver of economic and social development while it also has a basic function in maintaining the integrity of the natural environment. However, water is only one of a number of vital natural resources and it is imperative that water issues are not considered in isolation.

    Managers, whether in the government or private sectors, have to make difficult decisions on water allocation. More and more they have to apportion diminishing supplies between ever-increasing demands,” according to a UN report.

     

  • Sokoto gov, Tambuwal becomes Governors’ Forum chairman

    Sokoto gov, Tambuwal becomes Governors’ Forum chairman

    Governor of Sokoto State Aminu Tambuwal has been announced as the interim Chairman of the Nigerian Governors Forum (NGF).

    The announcement was made during the National Economic Council (NEC) meeting of the NGF which held on Thursday in Abuja.

    Tambuwal takes over from the Governor of Ekiti State Kayode Fayemi, who was recently elected president of the Forum of Regional and State Governments in Saidia, state of Casablanca, Morocco, as announced by the Forum’s spokesperson Abdulrazaque Bello-Barkindo through a statement.

    A formal handover ceremony is expected to take place in October and the new interim Chairman will hold the fort until May 2023 when a proper election of governors will be held.

  • What Bishop Kukah means for Nigeria – Northern Governors

    What Bishop Kukah means for Nigeria – Northern Governors

    The Northern Governors Forum says the contributions of the Catholic Bishop of Sokoto Diocese, Most Rev. Matthew Kukah, to the development of democracy are significant in sustaining national unity and empowerment.

    The forum eulogized the cleric in a statement by its Chairman, Gov Simon Lalong of Plateau to mark his 70th birthday. The statement was issued by Lalong’s spokesperson, Dr. Makut Macham on Wednesday in Jos.

    The statement said that the Northern Governors acknowledged his contributions to addressing Nigeria’s challenges in education, the justice system, administration, and in eradicating poverty.

    According to it, they also thank him for his contributions to ensuring sustainable peaceful co-existence through his various advocacy and sensitization at different fora.

    “Bishop Kukah has played a critical role in advancing Nigeria’s democracy and promoting credible, violence-free, and acceptable elections as the Convener of the National Peace Committee headed by Gen. Abdulsalami Abubakar,” they observed in the statement.

    It said that they also noted his contributions in steering national discourse and engagement through his foundation — The Kukah Centre.

    “The forum commended him for his love for humanity and speaking against injustice and oppression.

    “The forum lauded his passion and determination to mentor the youths on their role as future leaders of the country, by inspiring them to look beyond Nigeria’s current challenges and work for a better nation.

    “The forum and Nigeria at large shall continue to benefit from his wealth of knowledge, experience, and wise counsel,” they noted in the statement.

    It said that the forum wished him many more years of God’s blessings, good health, and protection.

  • Paris Club Refund: We are owed $68m not $418m – Ned Nwoko

    Paris Club Refund: We are owed $68m not $418m – Ned Nwoko

    Mr Ned Nwoko, the Lead Consultant for the recovery of over deductions from Paris and London clubs debt buy back funds, says his firm was being owed only 68 million dollars not 418 million dollars.

    Nwoko was reacting to the flurry of allegations and claims trailing his company’s demand for the payment of fees from the state governments and local government councils in the country, on Saturday in Abuja.

    The Lead Consultant of Linas International, frowned at the recent outbursts of the Chairman of the Nigeria Governors Forum (NGF), Gov. Kayode Fayemi of Ekiti, regarding the Paris Club refund.

    The Minister of Justice and Attorney General of the Federation, Abubakar Malami, had featured at the weekly briefings coordinated by the Presidential Media Team, on Aug. 11, where he spoke extensively on issues surrounding the refund,

    He stated that there was no basis for agitation by the NGF concerning deductions from the Paris Club refund paid to the consultants they hired.

    Malami had also described the governors’ action as akin to crying over spilled milk.

    The governors after their deliberations at the Presidential Villa Abuja on Wednesday, allegedly accused the Minister of orchestrating the deductions from their funds to settle the consultancy fees.

    Nwoko, however, absolved Malami of any wrongdoing as he said the minister was only trying to ensure that the law was obeyed.

    He revealed that the money being owed to the consultants was 68 million dollars and not 418 million dollars that had been in public space.

    According to him, his firm has nothing to do with 418 million dollars, saying this must be a miscalculation.

    He absolved the Attorney General of the Federation, Abubakar Malami of any wrongdoing as he said the minister was only trying to ensure that the law was obeyed.

    ”I am compelled to embark on this public engagement to debunk the litany of lies, spin and false narratives that had been dished out.

    ”This was to abuse the minds of the undiscerning public by the Chairman of NGF, Fayemi, against the payment of consultancy fees.

    ”The fees are legitimately earned and owed my firm for services rendered and which the states and local governments have fully been refunded.

    ”The outstanding fees owed my firm with regards to last work done for the states is approximately 68million dollars and not 418million dollars as maliciously sought to be conveyed by Fayemi and co.

    ”Our original claims calculated based on agreed terms was well in excess of 300million dollars.

    ”We offered huge discount on the entitlement to accept the 68million dollars,” he said.

    Nwoko stated that the agreements and judgment being executed were reached before the advent of the present administration.

  • Money owed to Paris Club consultants was $68m and not $418m in public space- Nwoko tells NGF

    Money owed to Paris Club consultants was $68m and not $418m in public space- Nwoko tells NGF

    The Lead Consultant of Linas International Limited, the consultants for the recovery of over deductions from Paris and London clubs debt buy back funds, Prince Ned Nwoko, has revealed that the Nigeria Governors Forum (NGF) requested and received the sum of $100 million, and money owed to the consultants was $68 million and not $418 million that has been in public space.

     

    He explained that the $100 million was to prosecute elections in some states.

     

    According to him, the consultants had nothing to do with $418 million, which he said must be a miscalculation.

     

    He also alleged that when he submitted a bill of $350 million as the consultancy fee, the state governors demanded to be paid 50 percent of it before it could be honored.

     

    Reacting to the flurry of allegations and claims trailing his personal and company’s demands for the payment of services fees from the state governments and local government councils in the country, Nwoko described recent outbursts of the NGF on the matter as “noise”.

    Money owed to the consultants was $68 million and not $418 million that has been in public space

     

    Addressing the media in Abuja, Nwoko pointed out that a former chairman of the forum told him that the money was needed to prosecute elections in Bauchi, Ekiti and Ondo states.

     

    According to him, the Ministry of Justice intervened and the governors eventually received the sum of $100 million.

     

    He absolved the Attorney-General of the Federation, Abubakar Malami of any wrongdoing as he said the minister was only trying to ensure that the law was obeyed.

     

    Nwoko stated that the agreements and judgment being executed were reached before the advent of the present administration.

     

    TheNewsGuru.com recalls that earlier, a Federal High Court sitting in Abuja ruled in favour of Linas International Limited and 235 others against the Federal Government of Nigeria in the Paris Club Refund.

    Money owed to Paris Club consultants was $68m and not $418m- Nwoko tells NGF
    Prince Ned Nwoko

    In a suit with no FHC/ABJ/130/2013, Justice J.T Tsoho ruled in favour of Linas International and others (plaintiffs) against the Federal Government of Nigeria, The Attorney General of the Federation, The Minister of Finance and the Accontant General of the Federation (defendants).

     

    “As a consequence of the foregoing findings, the application of the interested party/applicant fails in it’s entirely and accordingly dismissed,” Justice Tsoho said.

  • Deborah: Northern Govs appeal for calm, condemn gruesome murder of student

    Deborah: Northern Govs appeal for calm, condemn gruesome murder of student

    As Condemnations continue to trail gruesome murder of Deborah Yakubu, a student of the Shehu Shagari College of Education Sokoto on the trumped up allegation of blasphemy, the 19 northern governors have also added their voices.

    The governors who spoke under the aegis of Northern Governors Forum (NGF), commiserated with the bereaved family.

    A statement by Dr. Makut Macham, spokesman to the Chairman of the Forum, Simon Lalong, who is also the governor of Plateau State, expressed the concern of his colleagues over the development which they said was clearly an extra-judicial measure of addressing perceived infractions.

    “The Northern governors appeal for calm following reports of the hijack of a peaceful protest which later turned violent and led to the imposition of a curfew in Sokoto metropolis,” the statement said.

    The governors frowned at the adoption of self-help in addressing grievances whether religious or otherwise which he observed could only lead to further chaos that could threaten law and order as well as the general peace and security of the society.

    The NGF while commiserating with the family of the victim urged security agencies to thoroughly investigate the matter and ensure that the law takes its full course on anyone found wanting or culpable in the circumstance.

    The Forum also extended its support and commiserations to Governor Aminu Tambuwal of Sokoto State, especially for the proactive efforts to restore normalcy following reports of the hijack of a peaceful protest which later turned violent and led to the imposition of a curfew in the Sokoto metropolis.

    Citizens of the region and Nigerians were also called upon to show love, tolerance, and respect for one another irrespective of faith, ethnicity, or other affiliations.

    Deborah, a second-year student of the Shehu Shagari College of Education in Sokoto State, was killed on Thursday following an allegation that she had blasphemed Prophet Mohammed.

    The victim was stoned to death and her body burnt by a mob of Muslim students of the college, who are apparently fundamentalists.

    Her death has sparked outrage from various individuals and groups across the country, including the Christian community who demanded that her killers be brought to justice.

  • Fayemi visits Soludo, welcomes him to NGF

    Fayemi visits Soludo, welcomes him to NGF

    Dr Kayode Fayemi, Chairman Nigerian Governors’ Forum (NGF) on Saturday paid a one day visit to Gov Chukwuma Soludo of Anambra in Awka and welcomed him officially to the forum.

    Fayemi, who is also the Ekiti State Governor, described Soludo as a “valuable asset” to the forum while commending him for the positive steps he had taken so far on assumption of office.

    He said he had been following with activities in Anambra under Soludo with keen interest adding that the state had been relatively lucky with having progressive governors.

    The NGF chairman said that Soludo was another addition to the long list.

    Responding, Soludo welcomed Fayemi whom he described as a long term friend and thanked him for the rare visit.

    The Professor of Economics said there was need for the Progressives to form coalition in moving the country forward with special interest in human capital development.

    He commended the NGF Chairman for his leadership qualities at the Forum and called for effective collaboration towards nation building.

    “I appreciate you for your support since I came on board at the Nigeria Governor’s Forum and as Anambra State Governor.

    “Anambra and Ekiti share several similarities especially in the area of human capital.

    “Anambra, as a commercial hub, has the potential to become the industrial and entertainment hub of Nigeria,” he said.

  • Governors decry NNPC zero contribution to federation account

    Governors decry NNPC zero contribution to federation account

    The Nigeria Governors Forum (NGF) has decried the zero contribution of the Nigerian National Petroleum Company (NNPC) Ltd. to the Federation Account in recent months.

    Dr Kayode Fayemi, Chairman, NGF and Ekiti State Governor, made this known at the Governors’ Forum on Natural Energy, Oil and Gas at the fifth Nigeria International Energy Summit (NIES) on Thursday in Abuja.

    Fayemi said: “The NNPC contributed zero to the federation account last month. This is not the first time.

    “Of course, we know why; though the price of crude oil is going to about 110 dollars per barrel at the international market.

    “The more it goes up, it seems like the more we suffer.”

    He noted that it was ironic that the NNPc was declaring profit and unable to meet its obligations to the Federation Account Allocation Committee (FAAC).

    Fayemi said the governors were concerned about how to grow the industry, stressing that transparency, accountability and governance were critical in achieving this objective.

    He noted that the Petroleum Industry Act was responding to some of the challenges facing the sector though the governors had raised concerns regarding some of the provisions of the Act.

    The NGF chairman also faulted the oil and gas sector being on the Exclusive Legislative List of the Federal Government.

    Fayemi explained that when he was the Minister of Mines and Steel Development, he reviewed the Act regulating the sector to allow more states and local governments participation.

    He added that Nigeria should begin to harness its abundant gas resources as the world push for transition to cleaner sources of energy.

    Also, Ondo State Governor, Mr Rotimi Akeredolu, said the country needs to end the petrol subsidy regime now because it was not sustainable.

    Akeredolu, represented by the State Commissioner for Energy and Mines, Mr Rasaq Obe, also called for increased crude oil production to about two million barrels per day to improve the revenue from the sector.

  • COVID-19: States’ tax reliefs to remain till 2021 – NGF

    COVID-19: States’ tax reliefs to remain till 2021 – NGF

    The governors of the 36 states have resolved to retain till next year the tax relief measures put in place in states for individual tax payers and businesses to lessen the burden of the coronavirus on the economy.

    The resolution formed part of the outcome of the 16th teleconference meeting of the Nigeria Governors’ Forum (NGF) held on Wednesday.

    According to a communique issued at the end of the meeting, signed by the NGF’s Chairman, Governor Kayode Fayemi of Ekiti State, “all state governments through their Internal Revenue Services (IRS) will ensure the seamless implementation of tax relief programmes for businesses and taxpayers.

    “These programmes which were released in some states since March 2020 are designed to reduce the financial burden of taxpayers in the country up till 2021 in some cases.”

    The forum also resolved to work, through its sub-committee interfacing with the Presidential Task Force (PTF) on COVID-19, to address concerns raised by states on the reception of new inmates amidst measures taken to curtail the spread of COVID-19 across correctional facilities in the country.

    “The forum resolved to provide leadership to the COVID 19 response in their respective states by ramping up risk communication activities and community testing for COVID-19.”

    The forum called on state governments to nominate focal persons that will interface with the Ministry of Petroleum Resources on the actualization of the National Gas Expansion Programme (NGEP).

    The Minister of State for Petroleum Resources, Timipre Sylva had addressed the Forum in July 2020 on the NGEP which is designed as a catalyst for Nigeria’s vast natural gas reserves.

    The plan is intended to spur revitalisation across gas-based industries in fertiliser, methanol, textiles and feedstock for industries among others.

    The forum urged governors to maintain vigilance to ensure that the structures put in place for routine polio immunization are not jeopardized by the COVID-19 pandemic in the light of Rotary International’s recognition of the forum’s role in ending the polio pandemic in the country.

    It commended the World Bank for the new initiative to support States in updating their property records.

    The forum noted that some states are already in advanced stages of developing a geographic information system (GIS) that will help them gather, manage and analyse geospatial data both for the purpose of spatial planning and property taxation.

    The NGF Legal Committee led by the Vice Chairman of the NGF, Governor Aminu Waziri Tambuwal of Sokoto State, updated members on consultations with the Attorney General of the Federation to resolve concerns on the implementation of the Executive Order Number 10.

    The committee assured that a technical committee, comprising members from all parties has been working to finalize an acceptable framework for the implementation of the Order.

    Also, the Chairman of the NGF sub-committee interfacing with the Presidential Task Force (PTF) on COVID-19, Governor of Delta State, Ifeanyi Okowa updated the forum on the importance for continued and increased testing in all States as the economy opens.

    Okowa called on states to take ownership of the COVID-19 response, especially with the expected winding of the PTF by the end of September 2020.

    He noted that “low testing rates at any time will make it difficult to track the correct status of the pandemic in the country thus making it difficult to make important decisions like opening of schools, NYSC camps, holding elections etc.”

    According to the communique, the NGF Chairman provided update on the disbursement of the Basic Health Care Provision Fund (BHCPF) facility to eligible states has been approved by the Ministry of Health to safeguard government interventions in primary health care service delivery during the pandemic.

    “The forum received a Rotary International Polio Certification Award for its role in eradicating polio in Nigeria.

    “The forum had made polio a permanent item on its agenda for at least 18 months and was instrumental in maintaining high political commitment and coordination for routine immunization in all parts of the country.

    “Governors received updates on the status of pending COVID-19 interventions for States. Governors were concerned by the delay in the release of the results of the SMART survey conducted for the Saving One Million Lives Performance for Results (SOML-PforR) Project.

    “The Task Team Leader for the World Bank States Fiscal Transparency, Accountability, and Sustainability (SFTAS) Programme, Yue Man Lee provided an update of the SFTAS programme and near-term action for State governments.

    “The presentation also introduced a new technical assistance programme by the World Bank to support States in updating the property records of at least 50% of properties that have electricity connections in Urban Areas by June 30, 2021.”