Edo assembly approves Obaseki’s request for deduction of state share of $1bn security fund

The Edo House of Assembly on Friday approved Gov. Godwin Obaseki’s request to allow the Federal Government deduct Edo’s statutory share of one billion dollars security fund from the excess crude account.

The approval followed a letter from the governor requesting the assembly to authorise the Federal Government to deduct the money to procure military equipment and tackle other security challenges.

Leading the debate on the request, Folly Ogedengbe (APC-Owan East) said the fund was to allow the Federal Government procure military equipment to tackle insecurity in the country.

Other lawmakers supported the request, noting that insurgency was no longer restricted to Northern Nigeria but was spreading fast to other parts of the country.

Mr Monday Ehighalua (PDP-Esan West), however, objected to the approval of the request, saying the fund should rather be used to develop the state.

”Even if the Federal Government takes more than the said sum to buy military equipment to tackle insurgency, it will be a welcome development.

”But my worry is why is the Federal Government transferring the burden to the states?

“The federal allocation is bigger than that of all the states. They should take from their allocation and leave the state alone,” he said

According to him, some states cannot even pay workers’ salaries.

“I am of the opinion that since the funds can be accessed, it should be used to develop the state,” he said.

The Speaker, kabiru Adjoto , thereafter directed that clean copies of the resolution be sent to the governor for immediate action.

Our correspondent reports that the Assembly passed the resolution in an emergency sitting called by the speaker.

The house had on May 30 adjourned sitting until June 25.