Yahaya Bello, the governor of Kogi State, has attested to the receipt of the first payment of the state’s 13 percent derivation fund.
At the weekly executive council meeting on Wednesday at the Lugard House in Lokoja, Bello made this disclosure.
Kogi State was designated as an oil-producing state by the Revenue Mobilization Allocation and Fiscal Commission, making it eligible to receive 13 percent of the federation account’s derivation fund along with other oil-producing states.
The commission however said that the state would only start to enjoy the 13 percent derivation when the Ibaji oil well starts production and contribute to to the federation account.
It is unclear however, if the oil well has commenced production.
This makes Kogi the first northern state to enjoy such privilege in the country.
Speaking further on the development, the state information commissioner said that it was true and expressed delight at the development.
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“This means that the governor will have more funds to execute his many people-oriented projects he has started,” the commissioner noted.
When asked whether the burnt Kogi State House of Assembly would now be considered as a top priority project, the commissioner said that was left to the exco to decide when the time comes.
He said that there are many other on going projects in the education sector, health and many other infrastructure projects adding that there would be more funds available to execute them now.
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