08 December 2013, Abuja – Rivers State governor and chairman of Nigeria Governors’ Forum (NGF), Rt. Hon. Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi has challenged the coordinating minister of the economy and minister of finance, Dr Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala to come out in the open and tell Nigerians how much oil the country produces.
The governor also requested that the minister tell Nigerians the price at which oil is currently being sold; the amount the country has earned from the sale of crude oil in the last one year as well as the percentage of budget 2013, which the country’s crude oil sales revenue fund.
Amaechi, in a statement made available to newsmen in Port Harcourt yesterday, said contrary to newspaper publications by the Ministry of Finance in the past few weeks, the Rivers State government, had not at any time contested the funds it has received from the federation account.
The statement, which was signed by the state commissioner for information and communications, Mrs Ibim Semenitari, reads in part, “For weeks, the coordinating minister for the economy and honourable minister of finance has continuously attacked the person and office of Rt. Hon Chibuike Amaechi, Governor Rivers State and chairman Nigeria Governor’s Forum.
“The minister’s statements have been in response to issues raised by Governor Amaechi about the governors’ concern over the management of the Excess Crude Account during the 2nd retreat of the Nigeria Governor’s Forum in Sokoto. The spat from the minister’s office since the governors’ complaint has been suggestive of chasing a red herring. Instead of answering the questions raised by Governor Amaechi, and clarifying the issues, the honourable minister is simply muddying the waters.
*Anayo Onukwugha, Leadership
