North West States have called on the Revenue Mobilisation Allocation and fiscal Commission to allocate more funds to states and the local governments for better governance at the grassroots.
They made their position known during a public hearing on the review of the Vertical Revenue Allocation Formula for the North West States Organized by the Revenue Mobilisation Allocation and Fiscal Commission held in Kaduna.
While declaring the event open, Kaduna State Governor, Malam Nasiru Elrufai represented by the his Deputy Dr Hadiza Balarabe said the APC True Federalism Committee, which he chaired, had recommended a review of the revenue allocation formular in favour of the states.
According to Elrufai, the recommendation is the most efficient way to the adjustment of the finances of the federation while transiting to a wider devolution of powers and responsibilities.
“Most of the 36 states rely on the revenues from the Federation Accounts Allocation Committee (FAAC). The Federal Government retains the largest chunk of federation resources. It does too much but is too stretched and so does little well”
“Our reality is that the Federal Government has since the late 1960s acquired powers and resources similar to those exercised by the sovereign in unitary systems”
Elrufai pointed out that, basic and secondary education, primary health care and agriculture are subnational responsibilities but the way things are, many states have to support the federal security agencies deployed within their jurisdictions, despite the fact that security is a federal responsibility.
In a remark, the Secretary to the Kano State government, Alhaji Usman Alhaji said they recommended that, federal government should be allocated with 41 percent revenue allocation, States 34 Percent and local governments should have 24 Percent.
In his presentation, Katsina State Commissioner for Budget and Economic Planning, Alhaji Faruk Jobe stated that Katsina State government is proposing that, federal government should take 38 percent of revenue allocation while State governments should have 35 percent and the local governments 27 percent.
Earlier, Jigawa State Commissioner for Finance, Budget and Planning Alhaji Ibrahim Babangida who stated the position of Jigawa State people said they proposed 44 percent for revenue allocation to the federal government, 34 Percent for states while local governments 22 percent.
In their separate presentation, other states of the North West want the federal government to favour States and local government in the area of Revenue Allocations to improve the lives of people.
In his speech, the Chairman, Revenue Mobilisation Allocation and Fiscal Commission, Mr Elias Mbam stressed that, the public hearing on the Review of the Vertical Revenue Allocation Formula for the North West was timely.
Mr Mbam explained that, the Revenue Mobilisation, Allocation and Fiscal Commission by virtue of paragraph 32(b), part one of the third schedule to the 1999 constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria as amended, is “, Empowered ” to review from time to time the Revenue Allocation Formula and Principles in Operation to ensure conformity with changing realities.
He maintained that, the commission has commenced the process of reviewing the subsisting revenue allocation formula to reflect the changing realities, saying that, the commission has designed process and guidelines to ensure adequate participation of Nigerians.
The Chairman of the Commission further stated that, the presence of the representatives of the state governors and other stakeholders would add value to the process and will go a long away in assisting the commission in coming up with a formula that will be accepted to majority of Nigerians.
Mr Elias Mbam also revealed that, the public hearing was the fifth in the series of Zonal Public hearing, stressing that,
the commission has already undertaken similar excercise in the South West, South South, South East and North Central Zones .
He added that, the Commission is to hold similar public hearing in the North East and a grand finale in Abuja.
Mr Mbam however assured participants that, all views and recommendation that would emanate from the public hearing would be taken into consideration by the Commission in the review process and enjoined them to effectively participate in the deliberation.
COV/AMINU DALHATU