- In reply to the Governor Fayose and others condemning the $1b ECA fund, Governor Seriake Dickson says the presidency's decision is in good faith
- Dickson notes that governors forum will decide on how to fine tune and move the federal government's decision further
- He states that taking security issues seriously as the presidency just did is proper, especially in this season of festivity
Governor Seriake Dickson of Bayelsa state replied Governor Ayodele Fayose and others making a ruckus over the $billion approved to fight insecurity. He said the decision by the president was taken in good faith.
Dickson who belongs to the same Peoples Democratic Party like Governor Ayodele Fayose, who has challenged the move in court, explained why the Governors’ Forum decided to grant Federal Government permission to utilize one billion dollars from the Excess Crude Account for security, The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports.
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"It was a decision taken in good fate to support our security services, to strengthen our national security and enhance operations in the interest of everybody else.
“This is not a political issue and I thought that I should say that, but the details of what we would do and say and the clarifications will come at the end of the meeting of the governors’’, he noted.
Dickson said that the governors would meet later to fine tune how to move the matter further, noting that there was a lot of unnecessary controversy on the approval in the media.
“After the meeting this afternoon, our chairman and some of us may have to talk to the media, may have the need to interact with the president and the vice president on it.
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“Our duty is to collaborate among ourselves, collaborate with the Federal Government on two critical issues of national security and issues of the economy, and that is what the NEC does," he stated.
Dickson stated that he came to consult the vice president, adding that the governors were also consulting to deal with the issues.
On the recent assassinations and rise in crime in Bayelsa, the governor made it clear that increase in crime was a national phenomenon during the period of festivities
.
"It is a national phenomenon, especially at this time of the year; Bayelsa has been known for stability and peace in the last six years..
“It is still within control but we are bothered about it..
"And we are working together and supporting the security forces, mobilising the citizens of the state and activating our structures and systems to ensure that we regain control of the security situation.
“So I assure all of you, I assure the country that Bayelsa is safe and stable.
“Security forces and community leaders are working together and there is a government that understands the role and the place of security which I lead, " he said.
NAIJ.com earlier reported that the fund which was released alongside the allocations from the Federal Accounts Allocation Committee (FAAC) was paid to each state government.
The accountant general of the federation, Idris Ahmed, while announcing this in a statement on Monday said the federal government released the funds to enable Nigerians have a better Christmas celebration.
Also, a statement released on Monday, December 18, by the ministry of finance said the payment of the Paris Club Refund to the state governments including the Federal Capital Territory totalled N243, 795,465,195.20.
Nigerian Air Force operations against Boko Haram on NAIJ.com TV
Source: Naija.ng
ROSY CREST
Wednesday, 20 December 2017