The monthly Federal Account Allocation Committee (FAAC) meeting, which began yesterday was inconclusive due to discrepancies of about N37.76 billion in revenue presented by the NNPC, as representatives of the 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja returned home yesterday disappointed as the Federation Accounts Allocation Committee (FAAC) meeting ended in confusion in Abuja amid disagreements over revenue figures presented by the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC).
The meeting, convened to consider and approve statutory revenue allocations for February, came to an abrupt end on a note almost becoming a familiar refrain for NNPC in recent times.
About an hour after the inconclusive meeting, the finance minister, Kemi Adeosun, announced it would continue on Wednesday morning. She also said she would hold a crucial meeting with the NNPC chief.
Last December, the FAAC meeting was equally stalemated, as members could not reconcile the revenue figures presented by the national oil company, which told a shocked nation at the height of a recent fuel crisis it spends N774 million daily to guarantee steady supply of petroleum products.
With a free pass granted the corporation to deduct as operational cost whatever expenses it incurs from fuel supply before remitting the balance to the Federation Account, close watchers of NNPC operations said Tuesday’s crisis was expected.
During the meeting, representatives of the states, consisting accountants-general and commissioners of finance, said it was their consensus not to approve the allocations to the three tiers of government for the month.
They described the discrepancies in revenue figures presented by the NNPC as a bad omen to workers in the country who may have to go without salary for the month until the issue is resolved.
The Accountant-General of the Federation, Mr Ahmed Idris told newsmen in Abuja, that the meeting was inconclusive because of irregularities in figures presented by the NNPC.
“Obviously, you are all aware that anything that has to do with federation revenue is statutory and, therefore, constitutional and we must always verify our figures to the last kobo.
“Failing to do so will amount to committing illegality and unconstitutionality. “It is on this note that we observe some issues in the figures given by one of the major revenue generating agencies namely the NNPC.
“The committee is of the opinion that until and unless these figures are reconciled, corrected, verified and factual; we cannot distribute the revenue as the case is.
The Accountant-General of the Federation, Ahmed Idris, who confirmed the development to reporters shortly after the meeting, at the headquarters of the Federal Ministry of Finance, Abuja, said a new schedule for the meeting would be communicated on a later date.
Mr Idris said the decision to postpone the meeting followed the discovery of “understated revenue” remitted by the NNPC into the Federation Account.
“We have just retired out of the Federation Accounts Allocation Committee meeting for the month of March where we considered the revenue figures for the federation for the previous month of February.
“Let me again be quick to inform Nigerians that we are sensitive with the issue and to the fact that state governments may find it difficult without this money. “But we have to follow the constitution and the laws for distribution of revenue,’’ he said.
Also, the Chairman, Forum of FAAC Commissioner, Mr Mahmoud Yunusa, said the forum rejected the amount presented by the NNPC because it was far lower than what was projected for the month. He argued that if the NNPC could not surpass what they presented in February, then they should not present anything less than what they presented the previous months.
“We started this meeting last week and NNPC did not submit their figures until yesterday (Monday), which we were not able to review until this morning.
“This morning when we were reviewing the figures as presented by the NNPC, it came as a great surprise to see that the amount was less than N100 billion. “So we (states) decided that we will not collect the amount presented, “We are contesting the figures because pipeline vandalism has reduced, while crude oil prices have continued to go up.
“On this note, we are wondering why the nation cannot raise enough money through that sector to share to states so that everyone can pay workers, contractors and so on. “We are well aware that this development may affect the payment of salaries in states, but we cannot hurriedly accept this money and then later cry foul play. “So, we should all be patient.
But we hope that with this latest development, NNPC will do the needful as soon as possible,’’ he said. Meanwhile, in a document obtained by the our correspondent, the NNPC paid in N74.06 billion into the federation account as oil revenue generated in the month of February, to be shared in March.
“Compared to the collection of N111.84 billion in Jan. 2018, the February collection of N74.06 billion is lower by N37. 76 billion or 33 per cent. “We were unable to meet the approved budget as a result of low collection from Concession Rentals and Petroleum Sharing Contracts (PSC) Royalty.
“We wish to note that the sum of N30.5 million for the Misc Oil revenue and N6.11 million for Gas Flared are on transit at the end of Feb. 2018.
“Furthermore, we received $16. 56 million out of the $85.94 million expected from PSC and MCA lifting for the month under review, therefore leaving $68.65 million as outstanding,’’ NNPC said.