The Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) has urged the 36 state governors in the country to provide details on the spending of the 2 billion palliative sent to each state across the country by the Federal government, SAVANNAH NEWS REPORTS.
SERAP also asked each State to provide details, names of beneficiaries and details of the reliefs inclusive.
Recall the federal government recently payed out N2 billion out of the N5 billion palliative package promised each state of the federation and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).
In an open letter dated September 9, 2023, and addressed to State governors, SERAP asked the governors and the FCT Minister Nyemson Wike to make full disclosures of how N2 billion so far disbursed to them expended.
In the letter signed by Kolawole Oluwadare, the SERAP Deputy director said, it is in the public interest to publish the details on the spending of the N2 billion palliative and any subsequent disbursement of funds to your government.”
“Nigerians have the right to know how their states are spending the fuel subsidy relief funds. It is part of their legally enforceable human rights.
“Transparency and accountability in the spending of the N2 billion and any subsequent disbursement to your state would help to reduce the risk of corruption, mismanagement, diversion, or opportunism,” it said.
In the letter, SERAP said it would be “grateful if the recommended measures are taken within seven days of the receipt and/or publication of this letter.
“If we have not heard from you by then, SERAP shall take all appropriate legal actions to compel you and your state to comply with our request in the public interest.”
Stressing further: “The oversight afforded by public access to the details of the spending of the N2 billion palliative and any subsequent disbursement would serve as an important check on the activities of your state and help to prevent abuses of the public trust.
“The constitutional principle of democracy also provides a foundation for Nigerians’ right to know details on spending of the N2 billion fuel subsidy palliative. Citizens’ right to know promotes openness, transparency, and accountability that is in turn crucial for the country’s democratic order.
