Reps Begin Probe Of States’ Spending Of FAAC Allocation

The House of Representatives on Tuesday mandated its relevant Committees to probe states’ spending of the increased allocation from the federation account.

This resolution followed the adoption of a motion brought under matters of urgent public importance by the member representing Shomolu Federal Constituency, Lagos State, Hon. Ademorin Kuye, at a plenary on Tuesday.

Presenting the motion, Kuye noted that the amount shared by the three tiers of governments from FAAC has increased significantly, owing to the withdrawal of fuel subsidy, floating of the naira and other economic policies introduced by President Tinubu’s-led administration

The lawmaker noted that states and local governments received a total of N6.57 trillion in 2023 which was about double of the N3.16 trillion they collected in 2022.

He expressed concern that despite the availability of more cash to the states, more citizens continue to wallow in poverty as most of the states with increased allocation face significant challenges in payment of salaries, and effective management of public institutions while the unemployment rate has increased to over 51 per cent in some of them.

“Most worried that state governors have brazenly refused to complement the federal government poverty amelioration efforts and are not driving the necessary economic transformation that will reduce citizen suffering in their respective states with the increased allocation at their disposal,” Kuye added.

Following the adoption of the motion, the House mandated its Committees on Special Duties, National Planning and Economic Development and Inter-Governmental Affairs to look into state spending and utilisation of the increased allocation from FAAC and report back to the House within four weeks for further legislative action.