The Ondo State Government has revealed how it spent the 13 per cent derivation fund and SURE-P refunds released to the state from the Federation Account between 2021 and 2022.
In a statement issued on Saturday, the governor’s Chief Press Secretary, Richard Olatunde, disclosed that the administration spent the funds on capital projects and to clear workers’ salary arrears.
Mr Olatunde absolved Governor Rotimi Akeredolu of wrongdoing over allegations that state governments were stealing funds allocated to local governments from the Federation Account.
The statement was in apparent response to the presidency’s revelation of payment of arrears of derivation funds to oil-producing states and state governments’ handling of local council funds.
In a statement issued by Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media and Publicity, Garba Shehu, on Friday, disclosed nine oil-producing states received a total of N625.43 billion as 13 per cent oil derivation, subsidy and SURE-P refunds from the Federation Account in 2021 and 2022.
In response, Mr Olatunde noted that Ondo State spent the funds received on capital projects across the three senatorial districts of the state.
