•Say Edo Gov’s assertion unfortunate, did not reflect the true position of things

The Progressive Governors’ Forum (PGF) yesterday debunked claims by Governor Godwin Obaseki of Edo State that the federal government printed between N50 billion – N60 billion to bridge the shortfall in the distribution of federation revenues to the three tiers of government in March 2021, saying that the claims did not reflect the true position of things.

The Forum, in a statement signed by its Chairman, Governor Abubakar Atiku Bagudu of Kebbi State, said at first, the impression it got was that it was an off the cuff remark made in a private meeting, but “we were however shocked to see yet another response from our colleague to the rebuttal by the HM Finance insisting that the March 2021 FAAC was augmented via the printing of money.


The PGF states: “Given the significance of the statement from a sitting governor and the possible negative impact it has brought to the credibility of both the federal and State government in managing government finances, the Forum is obliged to put a statement out.

“To set the records clear and to the best of our knowledge, the total distributable statutory revenue for the month of March 2021 was N596.94 billion. Due to the shortfall in gross statutory revenues by N43.34 billion compared to the previous month, an augmentation was made in the sum of N8.65 billion from the Forex Equalization Fund Account, which brought the total distributable revenue to N605.59 billion.

“Federation revenues distributed monthly primarily consist of mineral revenues from the sale of oil and gas, as well as non-mineral revenues from customs and excise duties, company income tax, and value added tax.”

The Progressive Governors admits that there are periods when the country experiences significant fiscal shocks in federation revenues, but says the shocks are offset by other savings serviced from the federation account, including distributions from the domestic excess crude proceeds and the foreign excess crude savings account.

“These payments started since 2008 when the country first experienced fiscal shocks from the fallouts of the global financial crisis of 2008 – 2009. As a trained Economist who has been a Governor since 2016, Mr. Obaseki is aware of all the support states have received from President Buhari in coping with the shocks that have resulted from the CoviD 19 pandemic and resulting economic recession.

“Not only have we received budget support, bail out support to meet salary obligations and infrastructure refunds to all states, this was implemented in the overall public interest without discrimination on the basis of party affiliation. This is why it’s unfortunate and disingenuous to allege preferential treatment of APC states when PDP governed states are even greater beneficiaries of all the support,” said the PGF.

It said there was nothing exceptional in this current review of economic orthodoxy because “almost every Central Bank in the world is taking steps to support their government in coping with the effect of Covid 19 pandemic on the national economy. This has become the norm rather than the exception as all countries grapple with the deleterious effect of economic recession.”

The PGF continues: “This unfortunate and inaccurate assertion by Governor Obaseki becomes even more worrisome when juxtaposed with the official statement released after the meeting of PDP Governors last week, calling for restructuring and greater devolution of powers to the States. It would appear that matters that require the collective resolve of all leaders are now being turned into purely partisan, point scoring claims.

“Every discerning Nigerian knows that the APC’s position on restructuring and devolution is clearly articulated and accurately captured in the report of Governor Nasir el-Rufai’s committee on True Federalism. And the APC Governors Forum has since made representation to NASS in furtherance of that position. However, since there are constitutional boundaries, we cannot usurp the responsibilities of the NASS on constitutional reform process, having made our position known.

“These are challenging times for the country. The COVID-19 pandemic coupled with the recent macroeconomic challenges, has had a significant impact on government finances, however, both the federal and state governments are working assiduously to confront the challenge through greater collaboration to increase independent government revenues, rationalize non-essential spending and improve the efficiency of public spending.

“Indeed, we are beginning to see the positive impact of these initiatives given the country’s exit from recession in the first quarter of 2021.”

The PGF said while the right to criticize and hold alternative views is acknowledged, “all state governments have been equitably treated by both the Federal Government and national institutions, particularly the CBN. The support include, among others, bailouts, special interventions and various refunds that were owed to states prior to the Buhari administration.”

It explains further: “For example, as at June 2015, 27 states could not pay salaries but the Federal Government provided support to states to enable them to pay salaries and pensions. The federal government equally refunded the longstanding claim by states on deductions made in 2006, wrongly, to pay the Paris Club debt. Furthermore, states were refunded various amounts for roads and other projects undertaken on behalf of the Federal Government.

“In addition to the above, the Central Bank of Nigeria designed and implemented various interventions which helped in stimulating economic activity in all the states, and contributed to the country’s quick emergence from recession in 2016 and 2021. Such interventions include the Anchor Borrowers Programme, Accelarated Agriculture Development Scheme, Small and medium scale enterprises support scheme as well as expansion of pre-existing Programme such as Commercial Agriculture Credit.

“The world economy had been challenged in the last few years with fiscal and monetary authorities responding in various ways to support their respective economies. In all situations the Central Banks had responded to ease Credit and in a number of cases where interest rates were near zero, quantitative easing measures were undertaken to expand money supply to the economy.

“Given the constraints faced by the Nigerian economy, the Central Bank of Nigeria had responded commendably well while still working hard on exchange and interest rates. We urge the Governor, management and staff not be distracted. Equally we are grateful to President Muhammadu Buhari and his team for the support and partnership extended to all the federating units. In addition to occasional meetings with Mr. President, the National Economic Council, chaired by the Vice President, HE Prof Yemi Osinbajo, meets every month and all issues are discussed transparently and exhaustively.

“It would therefore be helpful to admonish ourselves as leaders to work collaboratively in tackling these challenges rather than resort to cheap and demagogic point scoring in our quest to rescue the economy.”

SOURCE

"Leave Obaseki alone, PDP Govs attack APC, FG

1. @GovernorObaseki merely offered a patriotic advise 

The PDP Governors Forum is alarmed at the partisan slant a patriotic advise to the @NigeriaGov by His Excellency,  @GovernorObaseki , on its monetary policies has assumed.

2  It is unhelpful for the Progressive Governors Forum to join the fray in the manner it did by its recent statement attacking the bona fides of @GovernorObaseki who merely warned the monetary authorities about the danger of uncontrolled use of Ways and Means, that is, the printing of Naira, to support government's expenditure.

3. @GovernorObaseki has a background in economics and finance and is a very responsible Governor who talks in a measured way . His advise, which by the way has been corroborated by none other than the Governor of the CBN himself, and the international ratings agency FITCH, should be heeded rather than being crucified for sounding a note of caution.

4. No doubt the @NigeriaGov has been supporting the States in the area of agriculture, budget, refund of Federal Government executed projects by States and a few other areas of intervention. Is CBN trying to be vindictive and vengeful by recalling its loans to the States because of an informed advise by a Governor?. It is unfortunate that governance has plummeted to this level.

5. The @NigeriaGov should plug financial leakages in the system and curb wasteful expenditure of billions of Naira on projects that can be executed by the private sector and save a lot of money in the process, thereby relying less on Ways and Means by the CBN , which brings pressure on the Naira with its inflationary consequences. Inflation in Nigeria is currently at 18.2 % ,  the highest in recent years. We should all be concerned to find ways of steming the tide.

6. We are all involved in the urgent task of rescuing the economy of Nigeria and nobody should indeed play the OSTRICH .

Hon CID Maduabum, LL.M
Director General,  @OfficialPDPNig Governors Forum

PDP


lalasticlala mynd44

Who really paid APC to destroy Nigeria?

I doubt if this contraption will survive APC misrule.

FTC

Now that Obaseki has jam talk, the CBN has decided to call back the loans it borrowed states in form of bailouts.

APC governors should keep deceiving themselves; even the CBN governor couldn't deny the claims. Everything is politics.

Godwin Emefiele was busy talking about governors defaulting on loans when the media asked him if they printed new currencies.

You become the enemy of the nation when you start saying the truth

ok o

Obaseki

Did you know??

If the entire world smoked a joint of Marijuana, there would be peace for 3 hours on the entire planet.

Carlos Tevez Left Man United to Their Local Rivals Man City and scored against Man United in a derby match

That is exactly the same dish Obaseki is dishing to his former teammates

A lot of critical steps are daily taken by CBN to help Federal and State governments manage the economy through creative monetary policies. That's it's job as it is with it's peers all over the world. CREATION of money by Central Bank, Federal Reserve or National Bank is a global practice which many developed and developing countries have adopted at critical times.

Gov. Godwin Obaseki was just being MISCHIEVOUS BUSYBODY in saying what he said. He was given the printed money, he collected. If he is so patriotic, why didn't he reject the money? By the way, it is not the sole responsibility of FG to improve the economy. What are the 36 governors doing to improve economy? What has Obaseki done to improve Edo State economy since becoming governor?

Gov. Obaseki frittered billions of Naira he should have used to improve Edo State economy to improve the pockets of few members of PDP hierarchy to buy PDP ticket. He should just focus on using his FAAC allocation judiciously for Edo people and allow CBN do its work.

Obaseki has low IQ,

The term printing money used by CBN doesn't mean paper currency minting....

What most Appex banks do accross the world is the give out fiat money

Crude Oil couldn't sell well due to covid 19 lockdown, FAAC is low, States has to pay salary and contractors.. without payment, traders and business owners won't get customers and cash won't flow

Emefiele gave a bail out with fiat money, crediting State Government Account with Money without necessarily printing real money, this is a way to stimulate the economy in this trying times yet Obaseki was throwing tantrums



.

APC governors are insane and mentally deficient, despite the the CBN indirectly confirm the it.

Hypocritical loud mouthed Obaseki and his fellow PDPipgs are just being silly.
Why can’t they rejected the money when it was being disbursed to them ?
Someone gave you money, you said it’s stolen and you never returned it.

Lol... APC and their abracadabra political actors. God will punish you all

The former investment banker and renown stock broker had spoken

RichDad1:
These loud mouthed Obaseki

Because he said the truth?

vebiwe6569:
Hmm

Criminal

The problem of Nigeria is this political parties. Just because he is from your party, you won't call an evil, evil

Was money printed or not?

Why should a simple yes or no answer results into lecture series?

RichDad1:
Hypocritical loud mouthed Obaseki and his fellow PDPipgs are just being silly.
Why can’t they rejected the money when it was being disbursed to them ?
Someone gave you money, you said it’s stolen and you never returned it.

obaseki is quiet and calm he is termed wake and see in Benin because he is always calm and not loudmouthed as u claim

With the way they are running this government anything is possible.

Mynd44:
Now that Obaseki has jam talk, the CBN has decided to call back the loans at borrowed states in form of bailouts.

Your position is already clear to all, no need sugar coating it my Yoruba Muslim friend

Hmmmm....... this was an avoidable controversy. Obaseki! Okay oooo

Prechgold1180:
obaseki is quiet and calm he is termed wake and see in Benin because he is always calm and not loudmouthed as u claim

That was then. He now sings like a canary.

Mynd44:
Now that Obaseki has jam talk, the CBN has decided to call back the loans at borrowed states in form of bailouts.

"Jam talk"... really!!, if we knew the consequences of these actions, we would thank Obaseki.

RichDad1:
Hypocritical loud mouthed Obaseki and his fellow PDPipgs are just being silly.
Why can’t they rejected the money when it was being disbursed to them ?
Someone gave you money, you said it’s stolen and you never returned it.

May God bless Obaseki for warning us of the economic disaster that is on the way.

Clueless Mofos

I weep for 9ja