Lai: 15 agencies failed to remit N8.1trn under Jonathan

Lai Mohammed, minister of information, says 15 revenue agencies failed to remit N8.1 trillion to the federation account between 2010 and 2015.

Former President Goodluck Jonathan was in charge of the country during the period.

Segun Adeyemi, media aide to the minister, quoted Mohammed as saying this while commissioning phases one and two of the channelization, de-silting, flood control and development of Okoko and Ogbagba rivers, in Osogbo, Osun state on Thursday.

The minister inaugurated the project on behalf of President Muhammadu Buhari.

“Recently, the federal government ordered an audit (between 2010 and 2015) of 15 government revenue generating agencies,” he said.

“The result was the discovery that the agencies had not remitted over 8.1 trillion naira to the federation account. This amount is about six times the N1.34 trillion stolen between 2006 and 2015.

”It is also the equivalent, on the average, of the country’s yearly national budget! Imagine, for a moment, how many kilometres of roads could have been constructed, how many kilometres of rail tracks that could have been laid, and how many modern hospitals and schools that could have been built if that money had been properly accounted for.”

The minister said the projects executed by the present administration across the country could have long been completed but “for the mind-boggling looting of the treasury by previous administrations.

“This is why we will not stop talking about those who have looted the public treasury, despite the push back from their apologists. If we do not stop the looting of the treasury, there will be no money for the kind of projects we are commissioning here in
Osogbo today.

”I have no doubt in my mind that the successful completion of these projects would enhance the holistic solutions to soil erosion and flood menace in Osogbo town.

“This would at the same time reduce the danger to lives and property associated with erosion and persistent flooding that has been experienced here in the recent time.”