...Lawmakers reject #100m compensation for loan approval

A major crisis is brewing between the Speaker of the Akwa Ibom State House of Assembly, Rt Hon (Barr) Aniekan Bassey and his colleagues over a #100 million compensation to the lawmakers by the Governor as appreciation for their prompt passage of his recent request for a #150 billion loan.

The Governor who recently wrote the lawmakers for a supplementary budget less than two months into the 2022 financial year is said to have sent a message of appreciation of #100 million each to the lawmakers with the Speaker getting a lion share of #250 million.

But angry lawmakers have threatened to move against the Speaker if he fails to get them a better offer from the Governor on the grounds that since majority of them have no hope of getting a second term ticket, the best way to appreciate them would have been for the Governor to give them what a source called "a reasonable" token as appreciation for the loan approval.

"Because of our loyalty to the Governor we have been called names. Akwa Ibom people now see us as rubber stamp of the executive arm. We have been called errand boys of the Governor. It is therefore annoying that with all these name calling and insults we get for granting all loan request of the Governor, he has not seen the need to reciprocate our benevolence towards him".

"What is #100 million from #150 billion. That's a paltry #2.5 billion for 25 Lawmakers and when you add the #250 million he gave to the Speaker, that gives you a total of #2.75 billion. Deduct that from #150 billion and you see why the public see us as the Governor's errand boys and the Speaker is partly responsible for this sad perception", an angry lawmaker from Eket Senatorial district said.

Sources in the know say the State House of Assembly members are angry that they had initially agreed that they will get at least #300 million each for approving the loan request while the Speaker gets #500 million only for the Speaker to go back and negotiated #100 million for members and #250 million for himself because of his political interest.

"It will be very difficult for any other loan request to see the light of the day going forward. The lawmakers especially those who are not coming back are not happy and they may not be so supportive of future loan request if the Governor makes any fresh demand. With this, even the Governor knows that he will have challenge with the 2023 budget if he does not "reconcile" with the lawmakers over this issue" said a senior legislative aide.

https://ourdailywire.com/udoms-150b-loan-tears-akha-apart/

You see why this country is so backward?

They should thank their God. In Lagos they would Tinubu. have gotten less. Only the speaker of Lagos house of assembly is enjoying the loot with Tinubu.

Interesting

When they shout IGR, I just laugh at their ignorance. Nigeria's problem has never been money from day one. Our problem is the gluttony of elected leaders who feel that government is a means for private pocket enrichment. Just look at Akwa Ibom with all its richness messing up the future of her unborn children.

Same thing is happening all over Nigeria. This is why Ogun state with all its high IGR is as poor infrastructure wise as any other state. Delta state don't even know what to do with their oil windfall. We need serious economic managers in all strata of government if Nigeria would ever move forward.

Reduce the cost of governance, stop the looting then this nation might have a chance afterall. Imagine how many industries that could be set up by #100m, then multiply it by 25. Crazy country!