After leaving office, Pastor Umo Eno, the governor of Akwa Ibom State, has promised not to visit the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) frequently.
During a media scrum on Thursday to commemorate his second year in office, Eno blamed excessive public pressure to embezzle public monies for the demise of numerous prior governors.
Despite repeated calls from different interest groups, the governor stated that he is still dedicated to value-driven expenditure, accountability, and transparency in the management of state resources.
I promised the Akwa Ibom people that we would set up a sinking fund as soon as I was elected governor. We make cautious not to spend all of our income each month,” Eno said. My kids can tell you that I’m not one for wasteful spending. Money needs to have a purpose and be in line with its initial goal of exchanging value.
According to him, people’s sense of entitlement has led to a rise in public expectations, whereby they want the government to satisfy all of their needs regardless of the financial consequences.
In order to guarantee long-term growth and steer clear of the post-tenure problems that some of his predecessors encountered, Eno reiterated that his administration would continue to place a high priority on sound financial management.
I witnessed it when a bunch of boys claimed to be Umo Eno’s support group, but Umo Eno hasn’t done anything for them since they stopped helping me. They therefore wish to stage a demonstration. I chuckled. I hope they stay away from security concerns.
“They claim to have backed me for excellent governance, and I’m doing all in my power to deliver it, yet they still want me to give them money. Where can I find the funds to donate to assist organizations?
“We are the ones that push former governors to join the EFCC after they graduate, and nobody will push me to do the same. I’ll do what I can legally, and I’ll stay away from what I can’t. Which budget and which account must I use to withdraw funds from groups now?
Regarding the state’s finances, Eno refuted claims made by certain media outlets claiming Akwa Ibom state had collected 650 billion in just three months.
The Freedom of Information Act makes it possible for you to obtain information about these statistics, which are released on a quarterly basis. Therefore, the dispute over how much we receive shouldn’t even exist.
However, I can assure everyone that I pray and have faith in God to provide us with N200 billion each month. I’ll make this place into Dubai if I obtain it. However, based on the information we have, we are trying our hardest.
“You can’t take balance carried forward, as the publication makes clear, and they show you the total revenue for three months. Then you make a headline claiming that Akwa Ibom gets N650 billion in three months.”
“You have done a fine job reporting to journalists, but you have no idea how many problems you have just caused for our neighboring states.
According to them, Akwa Ibom may be receiving N200 billion each month if it receives N650 billion in three months.
“Then you go to the Governors’ Forum and people claim that Akwa Ibom is holding our oil wells, and your neighboring states suggest that may be the case. And with that misleading reporting alone, you have put Akwa Ibom in danger,” he insisted.
Following the erroneous claim that Akwa Ibom might be making up to N200 billion per month, the governor bemoaned the fact that neighboring states had begun to press for some oil wells from the state.
Because they will question why Akwa Ibom is making so much money when it was only a fake story, Cross River and Rivers State are interested in our oil wells.
“I am aware of how many times I have run for president since that report was released because other states believe we have not been kind to them.”
In addition to praising President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for providing funding to the state, the governor said that it has enabled Akwa Ibom state to start development initiatives that benefit the populace.
“The state has benefited from President Bola Ahmed Tinubu. He has given the state money.
On behalf of other governors, I will not speak. I am not and do not intend to be the Chairman of the Nigeria Governors Forum, but I am speaking on behalf of Akwa Ibom because without financing, we would not be able to carry out our current activities. Eno went on.
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