A pressure group in Ekiti State,”The Just Keep Following Group,” has demanded explanation on the N47 billion allegedly collected by Governor Ayo Fayose in the last three years from the Federal Government.
It also challenged the governor to make public what has been accrued to the state in terms of Internally Generated Revenue (IGR) since October 2014.
Fayose had said that his government has been rated most transparent in term of finances and budgetary discipline. He said Labour leaders are deeply involved in the spending of various financial lifelines.
Speaking at a press conference in Ado-Ekiti, the group’s Coordinator, Comrade Bisi Dada ,said the people of Ekiti are being subjected to untold hardship due to the alleged insincerity of the present administration.
The group alleged that the state had enough resources to cater for immediate needs of the people if the government is prepared to really akin to the people’s yearnings.
Giving the breakdown of the monies received by governor Fayose in recent times, the group said “the present administration has received N18.4billion bailout fund,N13billion Budget Support Fund and N15.7billion Paris Club Refund.This is outside the regular monthly allocation to the state”
The group condemned the harsh tax regime introduced by the Fayose led government in both public private sectors in the state.
“It is also on record that many students are now dropping out of schools which hitherto has been free but now parents have to pay a lot for their children to stay in school. A secondary school student now pay between N15,000 and N 20,000 per term while primary school pupils pay N1,000 no matter the age and the schools are being heavily taxed by the government which has led to increase in their respective s hold fees.”
“It could be recalled that the last administration led by Kayode Fayemi prioritize social security for both youth and indigents elderly to alleviate their sufferings by placing over 25,000 Senior Citizens on monthly stipends on N5000 and over 20,000 youths on N10,000 per months.”
He said inspite of the huge monies in the possession of the state government, workers are being owed several salaries while the pensioners are dying in quick succession due to non-payment of their allowances and gratuities.