Ekiti gets due fund, not bailout, says Fayose

Ekiti State Governor, Ayodele Fayose, on Tuesday said the N2.1 billion accrued to Ekiti State from the N413.7 billion ($2.1bn) dividend and tax paid by Nigeria Liquefied Natural Gas to Federal Government was not a bailout to the state.
According to him, it is a legitimate earning to Ekiti State as one of the federating units in the country.
The governor, while debunking the insinuation at a press briefing in Ado Ekiti on Tuesday, said it was necessary to correct the erroneous impression created by some newspapers reports that listed the state among those that got bailout from the Federal Government.
The governor, who said the N2.1 billion being expected could not pay the N2.6 billion monthly wage bill for June, however, assured workers in the state that he would strive to raise the balance to ensure payment of June salary next week.
“For the N2.1 billion that is to be given to Ekiti, I want to make sure that I do not leave any gap. Our wage bill is about N2.6 billion. I will find means to add to it to pay June salary within the next one week,” he said.
The governor, who said his administration had not engaged in borrowing since it assumed office, assured that he would not renege on his determination to ensure the people lead meaningful lives.