The Nigeria Governors Forum, NGF, says the forum is currently negotiating with the Federal government to waive the requirement that state governments provide counterpart funds before they can access Universal Basic Education (UBE) Funds.
This is contained in a communiqué signed by the Chairman of Forum and Governor of Ekiti, Kayode Fayemi after its teleconference meeting held on Wednesday.
“The meeting deliberated on the ongoing negotiation between the NGF and the federal government to waive the requirement that state governments provide counterpart funds before they can access Universal Basic Education (UBE) Funds.
“The move was taken in the light of the impact of COVID-19, which has affected the capacity of state governments to provide counterpart funds required to access various national funds and statutory levies,” Fayemi stated.
According to NGF, “The Forum will continue to engage with the federal government on the suspension of State counterpart funds required for accessing UBE funds.
“The Forum had adopted the Report of the National Economic Council Ad-Hoc Committee on COVID-19 chaired by the Vice President, which recommended the immediate suspension of the requirement for State Governments to provide matching funds to access grants like UBEC,” he further stated.
The meeting deliberated on other issues including palliatives distribution by theCoalition against COVID-19 (CACOVID), the recent attack on the convoy of the Borno Governor, Babagana Umara Zulum, collaboration between the NGF and the intervention of the Forum in the nationwide strike action by the National Association of Resident Doctors (NARD).
Thereafter, members of the Forum Resolved as follows:
“All COVID-19 Task Forces in the various States will work closely with their Palliatives Implementation Committees to target the most vulnerable population in society for the distribution of the CACOVID palliatives, particularly in local governments that have been identified as epicenters. States will also take cognizance of the possibility of a second wave of COVID-19 infection and should start preparing preventive measures.
“In preparation for the 2019 Annual Performance Assessment of the SFTAS programme which is expected to start from 9th August 2020, State governments will ensure appropriate health and security measures are put in place to ensure a seamless exercise by the teams from the Office of the Auditor General of the Federation (OAuGF).
“The NGF Secretariat will provide Technical Assistance to the remaining five (5) States yet to publish their Audited Financial Statement (AFS).
“State governments with unresolved issues with their Resident Doctors were enjoined to meet with the Association at least at the local level to agree on workable solutions in the face of the current challenges in the country.”
