N10bn refund will reduce suffering of local contractors ― Group

The CEDO Media Network for GYB 2019 has commended President Muhammad Buhari for the approval of N10 billion being funds expended by the Kogi State government on projects on behalf of the federal government.

The Coordinator of the Group, Chief Ali Atabor, gave the commendation on Wednesday in Lokoja while addressing newsmen in his office.

Atabor stated, “President Buhari had in a letter addressed to the Senate President explained that the money, when approved, would be utilized by the Kogi State Government to settle local debts it had incurred following the execution of projects on behalf of the Federal Government.”

He praised the Federal Government for the approval, saying the gesture will give the state government opportunity to settle debts to the contractors and avoid possible litigation.

The CEDO Media Coordinator frowned at those adducing different meaning to the approval, particularly the opposition Peoples Democratic Party, stating that the process for the refund started during the 8th Assembly with 25 states of the Federation.

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“Aside Kogi state, the rest other states had assessed the fund, so why should we be condemning the Government for doing the needful?”

Chief Atabor emphasized that funds that accrued to the state had been judiciously utilized by Governor Yahaya Bello, assuring this present one will not be an exemption.

He advised the main opposition party not to trivialize matters of importance to the level of accusing the Bello administration of furthering his political interest by the approval while urging them to beg Kogi people for their woeful performance while in government.

” Those contractors whose money have been outstanding are very happy with the happening, perhaps I will also say that this is also the minds of the majority of the people that are genuinely committed to the development of the state.”

Chief Atabor added that the people of Kogi State had already made up their rightful choice for the November 2019 election, and their resolve to return Governor Yahaya Bello for the second term is sacrosanct and not negotiable.