The Federal Ministry of Finance said the Federal Government was not responsible for the failure of state governments to pay workers’ salaries.
This is contained in a statement signed by Mr Paul Nwabuikwu, spokesman to the Minister of Finance, Dr Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, in Abuja on Wednesday.
“Regarding difficulties in salary payment, certain governors are trying to blame the federal government for their predicaments.
“This is wrong. They had been told through the Federation Accounts Allocation Committee to prioritize salaries, they chose not to do so, hence the backlog that some states are experiencing”, it said.
It added that the 50 per cent drop in revenues simply meant that salaries should be prioritized.
According to the statement, the federal government should not be blamed for avoidable mistakes made at state level.
It added that it was misinforming to allege that federal workers were being owed salaries.
“This is incorrect. Staff salaries at the federal level are up to date; workers have received their April salaries”, it added.
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Madam, who else is responsible? First of all, as Finance minister, you failed to save for rainy day, you drew down the Excess Crude Account that would have provided some buffer for states, at critical times like this. And then, while the FG can borrow close to N500billion to pay salaries, the states have been barred from taking loans from the banks.
I think It is irresponsible for the Federal Government to allow the states and their workers suffer.
What is 'Big Brother' meant for?