SERAP Urges Governors, Wike to Account for Trillions in FAAC Allocations or Face Legal Action

The Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) has called upon Nigeria’s 36 state governors and the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja, Mr Nyesom Wike, to provide detailed accounts of the spending of trillions of naira in Federal Accounts Allocation Committee (FAAC) allocations received by their states and the FCT since 1999.

SERAP’s demand comes in the wake of reports that the Federation Account Allocation Committee (FAAC) disbursed N1.123 trillion to the federal, state, and local governments for March 2024 alone, with states collecting N398.689 billion [1].

SERAP has also urged the governors and Mr Wike to invite the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) and the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) to jointly track and monitor the spending of FAAC allocations by their respective states and the FCT.

Additionally, SERAP has requested the probe of any allegations of corruption linked to the allocations [1].

In the Freedom of Information (FoI) requests dated 20 April 2024, SERAP emphasized the importance of transparency and accountability in the spending of FAAC allocations.

The organization highlighted that Nigerians have the right to know how public funds, including FAAC allocations, are spent. SERAP also noted that the lack of transparency in the spending of FAAC allocations by the states and the FCT is inconsistent with the Nigerian Constitution and the country’s international anti-corruption obligations [1].

SERAP’s deputy director, Kolawole Oluwadare, stressed that ensuring FAAC allocations are spent to achieve the security and welfare of Nigerians is a serious and legitimate public interest.

The organization has requested the governors and Mr Wike to provide documents detailing the specific projects completed with the FAAC allocations collected, the locations of these projects, and completion reports.

SERAP also requested details of the salaries and pensions paid from the FAAC allocations, as well as information on projects executed in hospitals and schools with the allocations [1].

Despite the increased FAAC allocations to states and the FCT, millions of residents in these areas continue to face extreme poverty and lack access to basic public goods and services.

SERAP has expressed concern over the mismanagement, diversion of funds, and abandoned projects linked to FAAC allocations.

The organization has urged the governors and Mr Wike to take the recommended measures within 7 days of the receipt and/or publication of SERAP’s letter, or face legal action to compel compliance [1].

The call for transparency and accountability in the spending of FAAC allocations is crucial for promoting good governance and ensuring that public funds are used for the benefit of the Nigerian people.

The Nigerian Constitution, the Freedom of Information Act, and the country’s anti-corruption and human rights obligations all emphasize the importance of citizens having access to information about their public institutions’ activities.

As such, SERAP’s demand for detailed accounts of FAAC allocations is a significant step towards ensuring that Nigeria’s public resources are managed in a transparent and accountable manner.