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The refund of more than N600 Billion 13 percent oil derivation refunds to Akwa Ibom by the federal government has caused a steer in the State at the weekend, as indigenes biker over non disclosure of it’s receipts by Governor Udom Emmanuel.

Some of the residents who expressed their displeasure on the non disclosures for monies acruing to the State over time, on Excel Radio talkshow programme “Newspaper Review” on Monday condemned the clandestine manner in the handling of public finances, even as the Young Progressives Party (YPP), governorship candidate, Obong Bassey Albert Akpan had challenged Governor Udom Emmanuel to account for the collection of a whopping N280 Billion from the Federal Government.

But, the Special Assistant (SA) to governor Udom Emmanuel, on Media, Rev. Richard Peters, in a swift reaction has taken a swipe at the Senator representing Akwa Ibom-North-East ( Uyo) senatorial district, and the Young Progressives Congress (YPP) governorship candidate, over his remarks on the alleged mismanagement of the state’s share of the N600 billion 13% derivation arrears refunded so far by the Federal Government to Akwa Ibom State.

It is recalled that, Senator Akpan, had, during his campaign tour to East Itam, in Itu Local Government Area, asked Emmanuel to account for the for alleged N280 billion received from the Federal government, following the revelation by the Rivers state governor Nyesom Wike, who claimed he deployed his state’s share of the refunds to fix infrastructure including the 12 flyovers.

Senator Akpan regretted that despite the huge sums of money received by the governor, the state has nothing to show for it.

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According to him, “When I said he(Udom) received N280 billion, they said it was political talks. They said I was interested in finance, yes I will need Akwa Ibom money to empower the people of Akwa Ibom state as the next Governor…Thank God for Governor Nyesom Wike.

“What Udom has received is enough to develop Itu and Ibiono Ibom Local Government Areasr. All the funds that were not paid to South-South states from oil proceeds put together was $2.56 billion. The amount paid to Akwa Ibom was $1.1 billion (N600 billion). Udom has received over N3 trillion. But there is nothing to show for it. Out of that money they asked me to come receive billions and go back to the Senate, I told them I don’t want it.

“I am aware that you are all hungry, but we will satisfy you. As you vote for me and other YPP candidates, your prosperity is coming.

“Gov. Wike has commissioned 12 flyovers, but our Governor struggled to build one. We should ask him to tell us what he is doing with our money. Today, our Government owes more than N36 billion in gratuities to our retired civil servants and primary school teachers”.

However, Emmanuel’s Aide, Rev. Peters who was speaking in Uyo, yesterday dismissed such allegations as “a  mere propaganda and urged the people against falling into such cheap blackmail”.

“This conference is necessitated by the current trend of insinuations cooked up by Senator Bassey Albert and his club of political gladiators against the person and personality of His Excellency, Governor Udom Emmanuel as well as his choice successor Pastor Umo Eno, in the build-up to 2023.

“While Governor Nyesom Wike of Rivers state may not be blamed for blowing his trumpet, his remarks on a certain amount of money received from the Federal Government remains questionable, as the specific day, month and year of the received sum was not mentioned. One could then see that the said money was not given recently.

“We have 36 states in Nigeria and each of these states have peculiar challenges, warranting cardinal promises made by their leaders. The question then should be: “has Governor Udom Emmanuel not fulfilled his promises to the people of the State? Is  Governor Wike’s building of Flyovers to tackle the challenges of his people not equal to Governor Udom Emmanuel’s focus on Infrastructure, Industries, health, security etc which has equally tackled our peculiar challenges? 
 
“Daily, the State Government has been giving updates and reports on projects executed.  The Governor publishes the statement of account periodically in line with  World Bank’s State  fiscal Transparency, he stated.

Meanwhile, callers on the Radio programme said, Governor Udom’s looted funds under his administration would be returned in tranches like the “Abacha Loots” several years after living office.

They pointed out that, contract sums awarded by the Governor can never be made public as compared to previous administrations in the State.

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