Environmental and social rights activists in Bayelsa state are demanding explanations on who is in possession of the N200 million released by the federal government for the canalization of the Epie Creek in Yenagoa, the state capital.
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Speaking to our correspondent in Yenagoa, the Bayelsa state capital, a rights activist Comrade David West, armed with relevant documents, stated that information available to him showed that a sum of N200 million had been released as ecological fund for the above mentioned project with no trace of job done to that effect.
“You are a journalist and I believe you know the Epie Creek very well, have you seen any canalization work done at the Epie Creek? Yet N200 million has been released for that purpose,” he queried.
The activist further submitted that the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) and other relevant agencies should ensure that those involved in such financial recklessness should be cooling off at the correctional centres built for unrepentant criminals.
On the N462 billion earmarked for ecological fund by the federal government in the 2023 fiscal year, a renowned environmental rights activist, Morris Alagoa wondered if such funds were being released annually as there was no proof on ground especially in the Niger Delta region.
Alagoa said moving forward, the federal government should set an eagle eye on the funds being released for ecological and disaster management across the states of the federation to ensure that the monies are not diverted into private pockets.
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He advised that henceforth, the federal government should apply direct labour in the execution of ecology related contracts rather than release the funds to the quarters where they are pilfered to the detriment of the suffering populace.
“I don’t know if ecological funds are being released to Bayelsa State because I have not seen any project to that effect. If you go to Koluama, the coastline communities are at the verge of being washed away due to ocean surge and nothing is being done about it,” he asserted.
He further suggested that to reduce the negative effects of perennial flooding, the federal government should complete abandoned dams and build new ones, properly utilizing the multibillion naira ecological funds.
From available information, about N1 trillion representing 2.2 per cent of the total budget for 2018, 2019 and 2023 was budgeted for ecological and disaster management by the federal government.
For instance, in 2018, 2.2 per cent of the estimated budget of N9.120 trillion amounting to N198 billion was set aside for the Ecological Fund; in 2019, the 2.2 per cent of the budget amounting to N132 billion was allocated for the Fund, while in 2023, 2.2 per cent of the N21 trillion budget indicated N462 billion allocation for Ecological Fund.
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Despite these budgetary allocations, details of accruals and monthly/quarterly releases to states and federal agencies are not reflected in the website of the Ecological Fund Office.
