Abundant Nigeria Renewal Party (ANRP) on Wednesday commended President Muhammadu Buhari for fulfilling his promises on the State Local Government Joint Account (SLGJA).
Mr Sesugh Akume, the National Spokesman of the party, in a statement issued in Lagos, said that the promise was part of President Buhari ‘s inauguration speech on May 29, 2015.
“The new directives by the Nigerian Financial Intelligence Unit (NFIU) on operations of the SLGJA where monies meant for local government areas are currently diverted, misappropriated or mismanaged by state governments without reaching the intended recipients, will help in ending all these anomalies.
“Cash withdrawal may also not exceed N500,000 as stated in the directives. These initiatives are highly commended by the party,’’ he said.
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Akume lamented that the laws of some states in the country authorised the governors to spend funds in the SLGJA as they pleased.
According to him, a mere policy directive by NFIU on operations of the SLGJA may not be effective.
“The party, therefore, said that litigation brought by the Attorney-General of the Federation (AGF) seeking judicial interpretation of those state laws that are at variance with the spirit and letter of Constitution be upheld.
“This will make the NFIU policy directive prove more effective and sustainable.
“If such judicial interpretation is not done, the current directives by NFIU will not only be resisted; they will be ignored by many or all state governors,’’ he said.
Akume urged President Buhari’s administration to adopt a policy approach in addressing the problem of corruption.
“A policy approach is always more effective in tackling corruption rather than media trials and a sense of urgency is essential to success in governance,’’ he said. (NAN)