A coalition of civil society groups has asked Governor Rotimi Akeredolu of Ondo to be more transparent with funds accruable to the oil-producing communities in the state. 

The group under the auspices of Community Heritage Watch for Development Initiative, made the call as the world marked the 2022 International Anti-corruption day. 

Julius Adeosun, director of the group, who spoke on Friday, bemoaned the level of neglect especially underdevelopment in the oil-producing areas of the state. 

“There must be accountability and transparency in everything we do,” Mr Adeosun said on Friday in Akure.

Mr Adeosun’s demand followed the revelation made by Rivers governor, Nyesom Wike, who detailed how President Muhammadu Buhari approved the payment of funds owed to oil-producing states region since 1999. 

“The money approved by Buhari were funds owed from the 13 per cent derivation fund. Since 1999, the money has not been paid. Did we do anything? I want to sincerely thank president Buhari who now paid the money,” Mr Wike revealed. 

Ondo state is part of the nine states that benefited from the 13 per cent oil derivation funds.

Peoples Gazette gathered from data released by the Federation Account Department, Office of the Account General of the Federation, that Ondo collected a total of N27.8 billion between October 2, 2021- January 11, 2022. 

Mr Akeredolu had confirmed the receipt of the 13 per cent oil derivation, subsidy and SURE-P refunds from the Federation Account in the last two years (2021-2022). 

He, however, claimed that the refunds received by the state were expended on capital projects including for payment of accumulated salary arrears of civil servants. 

The governor has come under heavy criticism for claiming the refunds meant for the progress of oil-producing communities areas in the state were spent on paying salaries.  

Speaking further, Mr Adeosun said there was no signature project, especially in the oil-bearing part of the state that Mr Akeredolu could claim the refund of 13 per cent derivation was expended on. 

He said the group was working to ensure that the Ondo State Oil and Gas Producing Areas Commission (OSOPADEC) spent 60 per cent of its budget on oil-producing communities.

“The government must allocate 60 per cent of the oil derivation fund to the host communities to take care of the environmental issue in the communities.

“Our government must make our streets a bit more welcoming, the communities in the Niger Delta where the oil comes must experience a transformation which is incomparable,” he said. 

Mr Adeosun challenged other civil groups in the state to hold the government accountable on the issue concerning the oil-producing communities.

“There should be the release of funds at the appropriate time. The people need to be mobilised to monitor projects. Policies about oil communities should be put into effect and there is a need to sensitise and educate the people.

“I use this to call on the politicians to make governance less attractive, be more human in our dealings and operations,” Mr Adeosun added.

On his part, a social commentator, Olakunle Oyegoke, said corruption has eaten deep into the fabric of the Nigerian system, stressing that citizens must have a change in attitude towards amazing wealth through elective positions.