President Muhammadu Buhari has for the second time said that the National Assembly inflated the debt figures to be repaid by the Federal Government to some states of the federation.

The President’s stand was contained in a letter which was read out by the Senate President, Dr. Bukola Saraki on Tuesday.

In the letter, Buhari pointed out that the total amount approved by the National Assembly to Delta and Taraba states was higher than the amount approved by the Federal Executive Council (FEC).

He therefore asked the lawmakers to send details of the amounts they approved for Delta and Taraba states, saying he would go ahead to pay the amount earlier approved by the Federal Executive Council (FEC) against that of the National Assembly.

The letter read in part: “I wish to inform the Senate that we have received the approval of the National Assembly via letter referenced NASS/CNA/106/volume11/004 dated 29th January 2019 for refunds to Delta and Taraba states through the issuance of a promissory note for projects executed on behalf of the federal government.

“In view of the approval of the National Assembly, the following was observed:

1. While the Federal Executive Council approved the total sum of ₦78 billion (78,601,631,430.16) as reimbursement to Delta and Taraba state governments, National Assembly approved ₦90 billion (90,236,461,031.36) which is higher than the amount approved by the Federal Executive Council.

2. The National Assembly did not approve any reimbursement to Bauchi and Kogi state governments whereas the Federal Executive Council approved reimbursement for them.”

While reminding the lawmakers of the provisions of the Public Procurement Act 2007 which empowers the Bureau of Public Procurement (BPP) to approve contracts, Buhari said the amounts presented to the National Assembly were duly certified for reimbursement by the Bureau before they were approved by FEC.

President Buhari had in December 2018 accused the National Assembly of approving ₦488 billion as reimbursement to the state governments while FEC approved ₦487 billion.

He had also accused the lawmakers of approving reimbursements to 21 states after FEC approved reimbursements for 25 states.