Group vows to monitor FAAC allocations to North-Central 

…decries underdevelopment 

A socio-political group in the North-Central region has vowed to beam its searchlight on the monthly fund from the Federation Account Allocation Committee ( FAAC) to governors in the North-Central zone.

Operating under the platform of the North-Central Agenda, the group decried the challenges of poor education, unemployment and drug addiction afflicting youths in the zone.

Addressing journalists in Abuja on Thursday, Dr. Ene Ogbole, leader of the group, called on those holding elective offices in the zone, particularly the governors, to redeem their electoral promises to the people, as she vowed that the group was determined to keep the political leaders on their toes and demand their scorecard.

She said: “It is heart-warming and reassuring to know that, while the prevailing challenges are resolute in ensuring that our region is reduced to the worst level of hardship and insecurity ever experienced in our political history, however, we are consoled by the surge in current national revenue, has presented leverages opportunities to all tiers of government to respond swiftly and adequately to the socio-economic, political and security needs of the North Central people and other regions of the country. 

“Our intervention focuses on massive social advocacy to encourage all stakeholders, both within and outside government, from top to bottom, on the use of available resources for the development of the zone. 

“It is worthy of note to mention unequivocally that our group is working overtime to recreate and promote government /citizen partnerships through gradually restoring their hope and confidence in government policies, programs and reforms that are targeted at uplifting the well-being and living standard of the people also bearing in mind that the buy-in, participation and partnership of the electorate is sacrosanct if a government must succeed. 

“We have been in the business of conscientizing our youths and women of existing government initiatives, policies and programmes that are targeted at uplifting the well-being and living standard of our people and by so doing bridging the gap between the government and her citizens. 

“Furthermore, we are creating massive and unrelenting awareness on the concept of separation of powers and the constitutional mandate of the three tiers of government, the federal, state, and local government and the obligations of our citizens.”

Ahead next general elections, the group admonished political parties, particularly the opposition platforms, to shelve campaigns and allow those in government to focus on governance.

“Similarly, we wish to once again deploy this avenue to appeal to our political gladiators across party lines to immediately desist from heating up the polity in national interest, peace, decorum, and tranquillity to pave the way for broad-based national development. We advise that all hands should be on deck regardless of party affiliation as we struggle to surmount this phase of global economic meltdown that has grossly devastated all economies around the world. It is our duty to let politicians know that patriotism is not about seeking power at all cost, it is about supporting those in government, whether we like them or not to achieve the ultimate goal of delivering the dividends of democracy the people, especially the poor and the vulnerable.”

While it faulted the claim of marginalisation of the North by certain politicians from the zone, Ogbole commended President Tinubu over the recent appointment of erstwhile Minister of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Reduction, Professor Nentawe Yilwatda, as National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress and extension of tenure granted Adewale Bashir Adeniyi as Comptroller General of  Nigeria Customs Service.”

“We deeply appreciate President Bola Ahmed Tinubu (GCFR) for appointing Professor Nentawe Yilwatda as the National Chairman of the Ruling All Progressives Congress (APC). It is considered a step in the right direction as we are certain that the young professor will bring to bear contemporary ideas that will move the party forward in the right direction to be able to deliver the dividend of democracy to our people.

“In conclusion, and very importantly, we wish to extend our profound gratitude to Mr President once again for the wisdom he has displayed by extending the tenure of the Comptroller General of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS). 

“The extension underscores the unprecedented milestone in revenue generation, revolutionary and world-class initiatives, reforms, and sanity the NCS is enjoying under the Adewale Bashir Adeniyi-led Nigeria Customs Service.”

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