Abiodun’s administration didn’t receive N37bn road refund from FG — Okubadejo

…Says refund was paid to immediate past administration

Bankole Taiwo, Abeokuta

Ogun State Government has declared that the current administration under the leadership of Governor Dapo Abiodun did not receive N37billion from the Federal Government, as reimbursement of expenses on road projects carried out by the immediate past administration in the State.

It maintained that the said money was processed and received by the immediate past administration as payment for the State Government’s expenses on Federal Government roads.

Some online news media had erroneously reported that the money was paid to the Governor Abiodun-led administration.

But reacting to the report, the State Commissioner for Finance and Chief Economic Adviser, Mr. Dapo Okubadejo, in a Statement explained that the last payment on the Federal Government road refund programme was made before the current administration came on board as all efforts to recover further road refunds from the FG have not materialised.

“A total of N37billion was paid to the immediate past administration for Federal Government road refund to the State, in two tranches of Federal Government Treasury Note instruments of N15billion and N22billion respectively.

“ The first Treasury Note of N15billion issued in December, 2018 was discounted in January, 2019 for N10billion, while the second Treasury Note of N22billion was discounted for N17billion during the first quarter of 2019, thereby resulting in total financial charges of about N10billion incured by the State,” Okubadejo disclosed.

While noting that the explanation was necessary to put the records straight, he advised journalists to always verify their facts before rushing to publish.

Okubadejo further maintained that the incumbent administration is open and transparent, saying “this explains why it has always published its Annual Audited Financial Statements, promptly as required.