Governor Abubakar Atiku Bagudu of Kebbi State has called on the federal government to give more emphasis on revenue mobilization rather than sharing of monthly allocation.
The Governor stated this at a Sensitization Workshop organized by the Revenue Mobilisation, Allocation and Fiscal Commission in Birnin Kebbi.
Governor Atiku Bagudu who lamented that, so much emphasis has been placed on the monthly federation account allocation between the three tiers of government, said the money shared monthly was largely inadequate.
“How for instance only about 700 billion naira, less than 2 million dollars was being shared monthly among the three tiers of government”.
According to the Governor, there has been a serious resources deficit in the country and it is taking a negative toll on all.
He suggested that, states should have five percent more added to what they are getting now even if the revenue allocation formula is reviewed.
Governor Bagudu added that, Kebbi State with about five million people was getting between 67 billion to N70 billion Naira yearly.
He however challenged the Commission to put this issue on the front burner, so as to get more funds for national development.
The Federal Commissioner Revenue Mobilisation, Allocation and Fiscal Commission, Alhaji Rilwanu Hassan, said the objective of the sensitisation workshop was to enlighten all major stakeholders on the need to participate and make relevant contributions in the process of the allocation review.
It is also to assist the Commission to come up with just, fair, equitable and acceptable revenue allocation formula for the country.
The Federal Commissioner said, the 1999 Constitution as amended has empowered the Commission to regularly review the revenue allocation formula.
According to him, the commission, given the changing socio-economic and political dynamics in the nation, was engaging stakeholders to fashion a new sharing formula.
The Commissioner assured that, the Commission would take serious consideration of all views and recommendations that would emanate from the public hearing.
The sensitization workshop was attended by Government officials and NGOs among others.
Abdullahi Tukur