The Senator representing Anambra Central Senatorial District, Chief Victor Umeh, on Thursday at a press briefing in Awka disclosed that a total of 21 states will benefit from the N489bn approved by the Senate to be refunded to states as funds spent on federal projects in their areas.

He said the Senate took a decision to settle some of the outstanding claims and liabilities of states which totals N488,743,526,204.77k based on state by state claims.

According to Umeh, while Lagos State stands as the highest beneficiary of the refund with N114.6bn, Akwa Ibom and Zamfara States took the second and third position with N78.7 bn and N60.02bn respectively.

Other states with huge refund include Ogun state N59.2bn and Anambra N37.9bn, among other states.

The lawmaker said: “I am a member of the Ad hoc committee on promissory note programme and bond issuance that approved the refund. It became possible following the rescinding of earlier Senate resolution on the committee’s interim report of 7th June 2018.

“The approval of the refund followed a motion by Senator Francis Alimikhena (Edo North) that the Senate should settle inherited local debts and contractual obligations on refund to states governments for projects executed on behalf of the Federal Government.

“I and the Deputy Governor of Anambra state, Dr. Nkem Okeke led the Anambra delegation to the refund defence.”

Umeh who said he was drawn to pursue the refund because of Governor Willie Obiano'sgood works in the state urged the Federal government to release the money early so that states, especially Anambra State could put it to good use.

He noted that the governor was doing well and needs every assistance possible to continue his good work.

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