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FG announces allocation amidst questions of accountability
The Federal Government (FG) has disclosed the disbursement of N39.6 billion in ecological funds to the nation’s 36 states between June 2023 and June 2024. While the announcement might seem like a positive step towards addressing Nigeria’s myriad environmental challenges, it has ignited fresh concerns about the effective utilization of these funds.
The Ecological Fund is a critical component of Nigeria’s revenue allocation, specifically earmarked for combating environmental issues such as erosion, desertification, flooding, oil spills, and drought. The fund’s management falls under the purview of the Ecological Fund Office, a department within the Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation.
While the FG has provided a breakdown of the allocations, with Kano State receiving the highest share of N2.1 billion, questions persist about the overall impact of these funds. Previous investigations have raised red flags about the mismanagement and misappropriation of ecological funds, with allegations of embezzlement and a lack of accountability.
Other top recipients of the ecological funds include Lagos with N1.81bn (averaging N150.83m per month), Kaduna with N1.4bn (averaging N124.17m per month), and Sokoto with N1.49bn (averaging N124.17m per month).
Conversely, the states with the lowest allocations include Kwara, receiving N602.3m (averaging N50.20m per month), Bayelsa with N598.79m (averaging N49.90m per month), and Ondo with N629.42m (averaging N52.45m per month).
Environmental Challenges Persist
Despite the disbursement, Nigeria continues to grapple with severe environmental problems. Recurrent floods, exacerbated by climate change and poor urban planning, have caused widespread devastation. Coastal erosion and oil pollution in the Niger Delta region remain pressing issues. Meanwhile, desertification in the northern part of the country poses a significant threat to livelihoods and food security.
Call for Transparency and Accountability
Civil society organizations and concerned citizens have called for increased transparency and accountability in the management of ecological funds. They argue that the allocation process should be more equitable and based on verifiable environmental impact assessments. Furthermore, there is a need for robust monitoring and evaluation mechanisms to track the utilization of these funds and their impact on the ground.
As the nation grapples with its environmental challenges, the effective and transparent management of ecological funds becomes increasingly crucial. It is imperative that the FG and state governments demonstrate their commitment to environmental stewardship by ensuring that these funds are used for their intended purpose and deliver tangible benefits to the Nigerian people.
Tags: ecological funds, FAAC, Nigeria, CBN, Bola Tinubu, FG, States
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