Akwa Ibom State Governor, Pastor Umo Eno, has called on the Revenue Mobilisation Allocation and Fiscal Commission (RMAFC) to increase revenue allocations to states to accelerate development projects nationwide.
Thank you for reading this post; don't forget to subscribe to our YouTube channel here!
The governor made this appeal during Monday’s opening session of an RMAFC retreat at the Ibom Hotel and Golf Resort in Uyo.
“It is a privilege to have you in our state. We, as a State, decided to support this conference here because of the importance and strategic position of RMAFC,” Governor Eno said. “The Commission is not just a federal institution but also belongs to States and local government areas. You are for everybody.”
Governor Eno highlighted his administration’s achievements over the past two years, stating, “In the last almost 24 months of my being on this saddle, we have undertaken many audacious projects, spanning hard and soft infrastructure, without borrowing a kobo from the bank, and we are meeting all our commitments.”
The governor described Akwa Ibom as “a construction site,” with development projects being implemented across all ten federal constituencies in line with his administration’s ARISE Agenda, which focuses on agricultural revolution, rural development, infrastructure expansion and maintenance, security management, and education advancement.
He specifically appealed for a review of oil revenue remittances to oil-producing states like Akwa Ibom.
“Let me appeal to the Commission to look into the area of computing oil revenue remittances, all of the indices as it affects our 13% derivation fund for the oil-producing states,” he urged. “We know you are doing something, but we think you can do more so that, as the goose that lays the golden egg, we should not suffer. And we strongly believe this Commission will rise to the occasion.”
The governor also expressed gratitude to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for economic reforms, particularly the removal of fuel subsidies.
“Let me at this point express our deep appreciation to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for the bold step he took to rejig our economy around the highly contentious issue of the removal of petrol subsidy,” Governor Eno stated. “Even though we may have experienced certain levels of hardship associated with this bold act, the effect of that courageous move today has seen most sub-nationals receiving more funds from the Federation Account, and this has helped us, the leaders at the sub-national levels, to undertake many projects that have positively affected the lives of our people and ensure long-term or sustainable growth.”
Vice President Senator Kashim Shettima, represented by Ibrahim Natagwandu, Technical Adviser on Debt Management and Revenue Mobilisation, reminded Commission members of their duty to uphold transparency and ensure fiscal balance across all government tiers.
RMAFC Chairman Dr. Mohammed Bello Shehu thanked Governor Eno for hosting the retreat and urged commission members to prioritise national interests in their work.
The event was attended by financial sector experts and members of the State Executive Council.
Follow the AkweyaTV channel on WhatsApp: http://bit.ly/3I7mQVx
Or scan the QR code:
