The Oyo State Government has clarified that the ₦30 billion intervention fund released by the Federal Government for the reconstruction of Bodija following the January 2024 explosion remains unused.
The clarification followed comments by former Ekiti State Governor, Ayodele Fayose, who alleged that Governor Seyi Makinde had received and spent a ₦50 billion federal intervention fund meant for victims of the disaster.
In a statement issued on Thursday, the Oyo State Commissioner for Information, Prince Dotun Oyelade, explained that although ₦50 billion was approved by the Federal Government, only ₦30 billion has so far been released, with the remaining ₦20 billion yet to be disbursed.
According to the state government, the ₦30 billion released in November 2024 has been kept untouched in a dedicated infrastructure account with FirstBank of Nigeria, pending the release of the outstanding balance.
Oyelade said the state deliberately refrained from spending the funds due to the incomplete disbursement and lack of official communication from relevant federal agencies regarding the withheld ₦20 billion.
He added that special intervention funds are treated as capital grants and must go through the budgeting process before they can be utilised, noting that such funds do not require public announcements upon receipt.
The commissioner disclosed that Governor Makinde had formally requested ₦100 billion from the Federal Government shortly after the January 16, 2024 explosion to address extensive damage to public and private properties. However, the Federal Government approved ₦50 billion—half of the requested amount.
Despite the delay in federal intervention, Oyelade said the Oyo State Government had already spent ₦24.6 billion from its own resources to manage the aftermath of the disaster. This included ₦20.1 billion on infrastructure reconstruction and ₦4 billion paid as support and compensation to affected residents.
He stressed that the state remains committed to securing the balance of the approved funds to fully address the impact of the explosion, adding that the government has nothing to hide and will continue to engage the public transparently.
The Oyo State Government also accused some political actors of attempting to exploit the tragedy for political advantage, urging residents to disregard what it described as misleading narratives surrounding the intervention funds
