The governor of Ondo State, Oluwarotimi Akeredolu, acknowledged collecting 13% of the Federation Account’s oil derivation, subsidies, and SURE-P reimbursements during the last two years.
According to a statement authored by the Governor’s Chief Press Secretary, Richard Olatunde, the reimbursements the state received were utilized to finance capital projects and settle overdue wage arrears.
The declaration also separated Akeredolu from governors who were allegedly embezzling funds from the Local Government Federation Account Allocation Committee (FAAC).
According to the declaration, the federal government’s returns were judiciously invested in sizeable capital projects dispersed throughout the state’s three senatorial districts.
“As decided by Labour Leaders at the monthly meetings presided over by the Head of Service and Chairman of Joint Negotiating Council, the monthly FAAC proceeds are used to pay wages and pensions (JNC).
“It is clearly evident that the money was not mishandled in Ondo State if the amount spent on these infrastructural projects and payment of wage arrears is juxtaposed with the refunds.”
According to the statement, the Akeredolu administration has never touched money earmarked for local governments since it began, refuting the allegation that governors have been siphoning off funds.
