We’re not responsible for non-accountability of subsidy savings — Governors

The 36 state governors under the aegis of the Nigeria Governors’ Forum (NGF) have rejected allegations that sub-national governments have failed to properly account for funds accruing from the removal of petrol subsidy.

The governors said accusations that state governments had mismanaged or failed to account for the financial resources saved from the subsidy removal were unfounded.

Bayelsa State Governor, Douye Diri, stated this while presenting the communiqué issued after the NGF’s third meeting, which was held at the Forum’s secretariat in Abuja.

When asked whether the governors were prepared to accept responsibility for alleged lack of accountability over the funds received following subsidy removal, Diri dismissed the claim.

“That cannot be true. That cannot be true. But we’ll leave that debate for another day,” he said.

The governors, however, expressed support for the proposed National Affordable CNG Transit Programme (NACTP), saying the initiative could help reduce transportation costs and cushion the impact of rising living expenses.

The programme is designed to support the conversion of vehicles to Compressed Natural Gas (CNG), provide CNG-powered fleets and develop other infrastructure required to reduce passenger fares.

According to Diri, the governors are prepared to work with the private sector to increase the number of CNG vehicles operating in the country.

“Gas is cheaper than petrol, which will actually reduce the costs of transportation,” he said.

He added that reducing transportation costs would have a multiplier effect across the economy, particularly for ordinary Nigerians.

The NGF said transportation remained a major driver of the cost of food and other essential commodities because higher transport expenses increase the cost of moving goods from one location to another.

“Transportation is key to several other factors,” the Forum said, noting that the cost of transporting food items directly affects the prices eventually paid by consumers.

The governors said lowering transportation costs through CNG could therefore help reduce pressure on household expenses.

The Forum noted that the NACTP had the potential to ease transportation costs but said further consideration was required regarding its financing and implementation framework.

Diri said details of the programme, including the implementation timeline, would be worked out between the governors and the proponents.

The governors also discussed opportunities for states to participate in CANEX Weekend 2026 and the Intra-African Trade Fair (IATF) 2027, both scheduled to hold in Lagos.

According to the NGF, the platforms could help states showcase investment-ready projects, promote local exports and tourism, and connect small and medium-sized businesses with investors and buyers across Africa and other parts of the world.

The governors consequently assured the Minister of Industry, Trade and Investment, Jumoke Oduwole, of their support for the initiatives.

The meeting also featured discussions on the broader impact of fuel subsidy removal and measures to cushion its effects on Nigerians.

The governors maintained that targeted interventions in transportation could provide relief across several sectors because the cost of moving people and goods has a direct impact on food prices and other household expenses.

Diri said the proposed CNG programme was part of efforts to address the consequences of subsidy removal and ensure that the benefits of lower-cost gas translated into cheaper transportation for Nigerians.

He stressed that the ultimate objective was to ensure that the impact of government interventions was felt by ordinary citizens.

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