Okonjo-Iweala To Nigerians: Demand Improved Standard of Living from your Governors
Adetokunbo Fakeye
Okonjo-Iweala, Nigeria Finance minister on Sunday asked citizens across the states in the country to demand improved standard of living from their respective state governments instead of accusing the Federal government of insensitivity all the time.
The Finance minister, who is also the Coordinating minister of Economy stated this at the 12th Convocation of Babcock University, BU, Ilishan Remo, Ogun State where over 1, 544 students graduated.
The minister who was awarded with Doctor of Science in Global Economic Development, Honoris Causa, at the occasion revealed that, in 2013 alone, states like Akwa-Ibom, Rivers, Delta, Bayelsa, Lagos, Kano, Katsina, Oyo, Kaduna and Borno got the highest allocation from the Federation account, pointing that what they got individually is more than the annual budgetary allocation of neighbouring countries like Liberia, Gambia and Republic of Benin . She said, each state citizen should begin asking their state governors while the living standard is low.
The coordinating Minister of the Economy chided the state governors of over what she called ‘misuse’ of the monthly budgetary allocation they get from the federation account.
She said further that, basic public services such as education, health and agriculture fall under the concurrent list. She wondered why citizens always blame the administration of President Goodluck Jonathan for the failings of some state governments, who get monthly allocation larger than countries like Liberia, Gambia and the Republic of Benin.
