Palliatives Committee, Not Me, Spent N7.3 Billion, Fund Released As Subsidy By FG – Gov Akeredolu

By Ayodele Oni

Ondo State Government has clarified media report that Governor Oluwarotimi Akeredolu spent N7.3billion in three months on ‘contingency’ without House Of Assembly approval, saying the fund, was meant for subsidy palliatives.

A statement on Tuesday by Chief Press Secretary to the Governor, Richard Olatunde, explained that the funds were allocated to address unforseen expenses.

This was the same period Akeredolu was battling ill-health while his Deputy, Lucky Aiyedatiwa, was battling to escape impeachment move by the House of Assembly.

The Government statement reads : “We have read the report published in news platform claiming that the Ondo State Governor, Arakunrin Oluwarotimi Akeredolu,SAN, CON, spent N7.3billion in three months, while he was on medical vacation.

“In response to the concerns raised across various social media platforms, we wish to provide clarification for the sake of transparency and accountability, which are values synonymous with the Akeredolu-led administration.

“It is important to state unequivocally that the referenced N7.3 billion constituted the cumulative amount of palliative funds received from the Federal Government.

“These funds were allocated under the contingency sub-heading to address unforeseen expenses not initially budgeted for, but deemed necessary during the fiscal year.

“While the original contingency fund in the 2023 budget was N1,069,000,000.00, the additional N7 billion represents funds received from the Federal Government labeled as “Infrastructure Support Fund,” specifically for palliatives meant to cushion the effects of  fuel subsidy removal.

“In accordance with the Ondo State Public Finance Management Law 2017, the establishment of a Contingency Fund is outlined in Part five, subsection (i) and (ii).

“It states: ‘A contingency Fund is hereby established. (ii) The contingency Fund may be utilized for making money available to meet emergency expenditure (other than statutory expenditure) which is not provided for in the Appropriation Law for the current year.

“And which although otherwise failing to be met out of the consolidated Revenue Fund or Capital Expenditure and Development Fund cannot  without serious injury to the public interest be postponed until a Supplementary Appropriation Law providing for it can be enacted.’

“Contingency funds are designed to address emergency expenditures not provided for in the current year’s Appropriation Law, but crucial to the public interest and requiring immediate attention.

“Governor Akeredolu did not personally spend the N7.3billion; rather, these funds were appropriately utilized for palliatives.

“The funds were released to the state by the Federal Government as part of the efforts to mitigate the impact of the fuel subsidy removal nationwide.

“Our administration remains committed to the highest standards of financial responsibility. Any claim of impropriety is unfounded.

“We encourage the public to rely on accurate information and refrain from being swayed by sensational claims lacking factual basis.

“The Palliative Committee will, in due course, avail members of the public the details of the expenditure of the palliative fund.”