Akwa Ibom Denies Misappropriating N186bn 13% Derivation Refunds

Contrary to widespread criticisms of misappropriation of the over N186 billion refunds by the federal government to oil producing states in Niger Delta, Akwa Ibom state government has dismissed the allegation, describing it as politicallymotivated.

The senator representing Akwa Ibom North-East, Uyo senatorial district and governorship candidate of the

Young Progressive Party (YPP) in the state, Obong Bassey Albert (OBA) had revealed that the state government has received over $1.1 billion equivalent to over N600bn as arrears of the the derivation refund.

However, while briefing journalists yesterday the commissioner for finance, Mr. Nsikan Linus Nkan, said the state government had received a total of N186bn in tranches of N160 billion, while N41,434 billion was projected for 2022, out of which N26 billion as at third quarter of 2022, had been received.

He said with the implementation of the International Public Sector Accounting System, "it is impossible for any unaccounted expenditure to occur."

He recalled that "the agitation for the refund of the arrears which were deducted from the earnings due to the oil-bearing states was undertaken by the affected Governors, directly and through their officers at the Federation Accounts Allocation Committee, (FAAC) which agreed with the very detailed submission and calculated the sums accruing to the states.

"However, due to the large amount involved and the inability of the federal government to pay all at once, it was agreed that the payments be made in tranches quarterly, over a period of five years.