The second tranche of the London-Paris Club refund is already causing division within the rank of state governors even before it is released to them.
The cause of the disagreement is the hiring of consultants on the computation of what accrues to each state.
Several governors are strongly objecting to the deduction of about 5% of their refunds to pay consultants as was the case with the first tranche.
The protesting governors are angry with those who brought in the consultants for keeping them (governors) in the dark on the arrangement.
They claimed that the terms of engagement were known to only a few of their colleagues in the Nigeria Governors’ Forum (NGF).
About N19billion from the first tranche of N522.74 billion was remitted by states into two accounts of the NGF as commission to consultants.
However, the N19billion allegedly ended up in the accounts of some of the seven governors who played one role or the other in the deal, some public officers and some individuals who had no business whatsoever with the refunds.
It was also learnt that some consultants engaged by the NGF and some states have not been paid by the governors.
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has launched an investigation into the alleged shady deals.
Apart from locating the two accounts where the N19billion was remitted, the anti-graft agency has interrogated no fewer than four persons involved in the hiring of the consultants and payment.
Investigation by The Nation revealed that some states remitted as much as N600million into NGF’s emergency accounts as commission.
It was learnt that the two accounts of the NGF were opened at the last minute in defiance of the attendant agreement.
According to findings, reports made available to presidency by the EFCC and other security agencies showed that the governors did not keep to the terms for the refunds.
Some of the infractions noticeable in the management of the first tranche of the London-Paris Club loan refunds are as follows:
•Computation of state records done at a private house in Maitama, Abuja, belonging to a governor
•Accounts initially opened in the names of two lead consultants but the details of who to be paid was later changed
• N19b remitted into two accounts of NGF
•Commission to consultants cut from 10% to 2% but 5% was on paper as paid
•CBN paid directly to each state without the knowledge of the Accountant-General of the Federation
•Part of the N19b commission traced to a governor’s account and some individuals including some members of National Assembly
•Apart from central consultants, state governors still hire separate consultants
•Some state governors conceded about 10-20% commission to their consultants
•In some states, governors served as consultants through proxies
•Consultants yet to be paid because the NGF changed commission formula as soon as the first tranche was remitted
•Some governors deviated from using 25% to 50% for payment of outstanding salaries and pensions as agreed with President Muhammadu Buhari.
It was also gathered that these infractions have angered some governors who have vowed not to allow any deduction from their share for consultants.
A governor, who spoke in confidence, said: “The whole thing is a scam. Why should they ask states to remit as much as N400million to N600million each to pay consultants they did not hire.
“It is more saddening when we discovered that the N19billion we remitted was not paid to consultants. The money has been found in the accounts of some individuals or used for some extraneous purposes.
“In our state, we have taken a position that no kobo of our refunds will be paid as consultancy fee. We have the CBN, the Debt Management Office (DMO), the Office of the Accountant-General of the Federation (OAGF) and the Federal Ministry of Finance who have qualified officials to do the computation of the refund which each state should get.
“The second tranche of N500billion which we will get in the next few days will not be mismanaged.

http://thenationonlineng.net/fresh-n500b-refund-divides-governors-forum/

Corruption is not afraid of this government .

This is why our leader can't think properly - sharing economy has killed incentive for productivity and good governance. If they had good IGR flowing in 36 of them won't be fighting over N500b.

Timbi

SMH

This is happening under the watchful eyes of an anticorruption brand.

It is well! even in a well.

We know them...dem no dey see money for eye..

Btw if you're interested in LEARNING buying and selling of ITunes Giftcards, check my signature.

All they know is money,loot, steal .use some few change to buy ponmo, Sick chicken and stone cold rice,dash them hungry gullible pipu who'll still troop out,dance and hail those thieves.

Yes! The corruption fight is real indeed...lol

There's nothing the presidency can do about the avarice of state executives.

No law permits interference and most of you shouting corruption under this government are the same lot who would protest should the presidency extend its powers to state administration.

Even among themselves, they are still maneuvering each other because of greed. Governors are highly corrupt.

What exactly was done with the first batch in the respective states by these Governors.

Until monies from Federal Government to states are accountable, Nigeria is going nowhere.

If a governor generates internally, he should use it the way he wants but as long as it's from the federal, every kobo should be accounted for to benefit the masses.

Bayelsa state is still owing workers salary.

I blame the president for this. If it were me I won't give them any Kobo, I will do direct projects in each senatorial zone of every state. Useless people.

when i say buhari na fool, them nairaland zombies will be masturbating n lamenting anyhow.

First u gave these thieves bailout n 80percent of the monies was looted, diverted.
He released another monies for bailout with stringent conditions, yet most states did not meet the conditions but got the bailout.
He released monies again tagged paris refund, we no even know what states used the monies for yet you still want to release another.

Who gives a drunkard money for house rent d first time, he drinks it away n still stupidly gives him d second time when he can pay to d account of the landowner.