BY OBUTE JAMES
The Senate on Wednesday (today) approved N10.6 billon for Kogi State in order to clear unpaid debt of Federal Government to the state over reconstruction of roads.
President Mohammed Buhari had on October 15, sent a letter to the Senate requesting its approval for the payment of N10..6 Billion to the Kogi State government for the rehabilitation of road done on behalf of the Federal.
The Senate then referred the issue to its Committee on Local and Foreign debt for further legislative actions and report back in two weeks.
When the report was submitted on Wednesday, the Senate Minority Leader Abaribe said, while he is not against the payment of money to the states who had carried out road rehabilitation on behalf of the Federal Government, the timing of the request of payement for Kogi State is questionable in view of governorship election which is just less than 5 days.
Abaribe said the approval should be delayed at least one week after the election so that the fund will not be misused.
However, the Senate President who stopped further contribution on the issue after Abaribe’s comments said it may be a coincidence and went further to put question for the approval which was granted.