Senator representing Yobe East Senatorial district, Bukar Abba Ibrahim, has called for the prosecution of any governor in Nigeria who has diverted Paris Club refund other than payment of workers’ salaries of their respective States.
Speaking with DAILY POST in Abuja, Bukar, a former governor of Yobe state expressed dismay over fragrant abuse of executive powers of some governors who have become insensitive to the plight of their workers by channeling the said funds into something else.
He maintained that Paris Club refund was a special intervention funds designed and dedicated to offsetting workers’ salary arrears.
“Some governors in Nigeria have abused their powers by diverting Paris Club refund to other projects against what they were directed to do. Those ones must face prosecution,” he said.
He accused some governors of having something ‘off their sleeves’ for not paying their workers, noting that by committing the funds to other projects, it tends to serve their personal interest.
Reminding governors in the country of Federal government’s commitment to the welfare of Nigeria workers, he said, bail out to States last year and specific directive by President Buhari that workers across the states be paid was enough commitment on part of the Federal government.
“There was bailout to States last year and Mr. President has directed all governors to pay their staff salaries with the Paris Club refund and to me, it is enough commitment on part of the government at the centre”, he said.
On the executive and legislative frosty relationship, he was optimistic that things would fall in shape, saying each time there was opposing view from two arms of government, it shows how democracy works.
According to him, the APC led government was aware of lawmakers’ stance on issues which were fundamental to national development, assuring that things have been brought under control.
