Mr. Idris was speaking in Abuja at the special Federal Accounts Allocation Committee meeting for December said that although the balance in the excess crude revenue account (ECA) remained at $2.317 billion as at December 15, 2017 and the $1 billion the 36 state governors approved last week to procure arms to fight Boko Haram was yet to be withdrawn.
“There is a process that needs to be followed before money is withdrawn from the account. The instruction needs to be given before money is taken. Unless it is taken, the balance in the account remains the same as at the reporting date, which is December 15, 2017,” he explained.
On whether there was budgetary appropriation by the National Assembly for the withdrawal of the $1 billion, the AGF said since the governors of the 36 states of the federation had reached a consensus before giving approval, no other requirement was necessary.
“Ordinarily, savings in the ECA should have been distributed to the three tiers of government, who are the owners of the money. So, if the same owners decide that part of the money be utilised to provide security for life and property in the country or make the system work, I don’t think there is any issue in that,” he said.
“The entire Federation have decided. There is an instruction and directive to that effect. There is a consensus; a common position and no dissenting voice, we (FAAC) have no option than to go with the directive as given,” he added.
Asked about Ekiti State Governor, Ayo Fayose, who issued a statement in the media to reject the decision by the Governors’ Forum on the withdrawal, the AGF urged the governor to direct his protest to his colleagues.