Governors decries over NLNG taxation

Governors of the 36 states have advised President

Muhammadu Buhari to share the tax of the Nigeria
Liquefied Natural Gas (NLNG) to resolve the financial
crisis facing them.
Over 20 states are currently unable to pay salaries as a
result of a sharp fall in oil revenue.
“Instead of NLNG paying $1.6 billion to the federal
government, we requested that it be paid to the
federation account so that it could be shared amongst the
three tiers of government, so that we can also get money
to do one or two things,” Abdulazeez Yari, governor of
Zamfara state and chairman of the Nigerian governors
forum, said at the end of a meeting with Buhari.
“We proposed to Mr. President that instead of being given
bail out, that the funds for jobs, projects that were done
by the states should be refunded by the federal
government. If the affected states can get the refund, they
can start paying salaries without bail out.
“Secondly, we also brought to his notice that most of the
loans owed by the state, some between four and seven
years, if it can be stretched to 20 years, the states will be
relieved and would be able to continue other businesses
including paying salaries.
“Also, we urged the president to follow the constitution
when it comes to money sharing. Section 80 is very clear.
That all monies should go to the Consolidated Revenue
Account for the purpose, no account should be kept
anywhere because this is what the constitution says.
“And Section 162 also is self-explanatory, that whatever is
going to happen to the money will be after sharing to the
three tiers of government. That the NNPC or any other
revenue generating agency should not have the first line
charges.”
Apart from the governors of Bayelsa and Plateau states,
who were represented at the meeting, the other 34
governors attended.
http://www.thecable.ng/govs-ask-pmb-share-nlng-tax