Sunday, May 19, 2019

I can’t account for security votes spending within seven days – Al-Makura - The Punch

Governor of Nasarawa State, Umaru Tanko Al-Makura

Oladimeji Ramon

The Governor of Nasarawa State, Tanko Al-Makura, has said it is not realistic for him to within seven days give account of how the security votes allocated to him between 2011 and 2015 were spent.

He, therefore, asked to be given more time.

The governor said this in response to a Freedom of Information request sent to him by anti-corruption advocacy group, Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project.

SERAP said in a statement on Sunday by its Deputy Director, Kolawole Oludare, that it received Al-Makura’s response via a letter, with reference number, NS/MOJ/ADM/108/VOL1/65, signed by Nasarawa State Attorney General.

The group quoted the attorney general as stating in the letter that he was “directed to draw your attention to the fact that the information being requested covers a period of eight years and will require more than seven days to process. We shall revert to you as soon as the information is ready.”

Oludare said while SERAP had no problem with giving Al-Makura time to provide the information, it urged the governor to “fast-track the process to ensure that the information is sent to us before the expiration of your term on 29th May 2019.”

“This would be a perfect parting gift to the people of Nasarawa, and show the way for 35 other state governors and the Federal Government that have failed, so far, to respond to the FOI requests on security votes spending,” SERAP said.