NLNG Dividends: Presidency Yet to Explain Where $3bn Went – Makinde Stands By Claim
Oyo State Governor, Seyi Makinde, has stood by his claim that states and local governments are being denied their rightful shares of dividends from the Nigeria Liquefied Natural Gas (NLNG) Limited, insisting that a reconciliation exercise identified a shortfall of about ₦9 trillion.
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The governor’s position was contained in a statement issued on Sunday by his Special Adviser on Media, Dr Sulaimon Olanrewaju, in response to the Presidency’s reaction to Makinde’s earlier remarks on the alleged withholding of NLNG dividends.
According to the statement, the Nigeria Governors’ Forum (NGF), with the support of the Federal Government, engaged a consultant to reconcile NLNG dividend payments, with the exercise reportedly identifying about ₦9 trillion owed to states and local governments.
It added that the Federal Government accepted the findings, while the report remained in the custody of both the government and the NGF.
The statement also questioned the Presidency’s claim that NLNG had paid $21.5 billion in dividends into the Federation Account since inception, including $3 billion received under the current administration, asking how the funds were distributed and how much states and local governments received as their respective shares.
It maintained that Makinde, who is the incumbent Vice-Chairman of the NGF, does not make unfounded claims or cite figures without a basis, adding that the Oyo State Government remained ready to provide further clarification while urging the Presidency to address the substance of the allegations.
