billion dividend paid into the Federation Account by the Nigeria
Liquefied Natural Gas Company (NLNG), which the Federal Government
used to bail out debtor- states, were seized by some banks over debts.
The fund was part of the presidential palliative as intervention
package to help bankrupt states settle salary arrears.
Yari, who again met with Vice President, Prof Yemi Osinbajo (SAN),
Tuesday night, told State House Correspondents, that no other bail-out
aside the NLNG has been released to states, but that some states had
theirs seized because they were lagging behind in their loans
repayment.
Yari, who is also the Chairman of the All Progressive Congress (APC)
Governors Forum, said, "what I am saying, no money has been released
yet, but I think the NLNG money that was given, some states, their
shares were taken by the banks because of debts. So, automatically,
that has to go there.
"But I think the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) governor is negotiating
with the banks on how we are going to share, now we have agreed that
this bailout or intervention funds are coming so that they will know
the purpose the palliative was made for the states to rescue them to
pay staff salaries.
"But for sure, some other governors reported that money went to their
accounts, it was taken by some banks because of their outstanding
loans", he said.
Yari also blamed the media for demonizing some governors over their
distressed situation, saying if the banking sector and the downstream
sector got bail-outs, there was nothing wrong if states in distress
are also assisted out.
He said: "The Federal Government wants to give bailout to states
because of the situation but the way you guys (the media) are talking
about it. Of course, the bailout is in the works and the bailout can
be made either to the states or to any sector of the economy.
"As I have been saying, the bailout has been made in the banking
sector and bailout has also been made in the downstream sector of the
economy.
On West African Examination Council (WAEC) debts owed by some states.
Yari said those affected were trying to verify the exact figure and to
clear the mix-up of whether the amount covers both government and
private schools.
He said, "You see, including my own state. We are in that trouble. But
the reason we are in that trouble is because we cannot ascertain the
exact figure, which one is for the public, which one is for the
private. There was a mix-up.
"So, some state governments need to verify between the WAEC and their
ministries of Education and other departments of education. So, that's
why some states cannot pay.
"And yes of course, some states are giving free education. Those WAEC
monies are not being paid by the parents. It is being sponsored by the
government like ours," Yari said.
-TheSunNews
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