Seven states from the Northwest have asked the Revenue Mobilisation Allocation and Fiscal Commission, RMAFC, to give lion share of revenue to states and local government areas.
They argued that the two tiers of government should take 60 per cent
while the Federal Government takes 40 per cent, pointing out that state
governments are also saddled with funding of security apparatus, which
is the sole responsibility of the Federal Government.
The states – Kaduna, Kano, Katsina, Sokoto, Jigawa, Kebbi and Zamfara
in their separate presentations, made the demand during the zonal
public hearing on the review of the current allocation formula, held in
Kaduna.
In the current sharing arrangement, the Federal Government is entitled to
52.68 per cent, while state governments get 26.72 per cent and LGAs
receive 20.6 per cent.
Meanwhile, Chairman of RMAFC, Elias Mbam, has explained that the
revenue allocation formular has not been reviewed for 29 years contrary
to Constitutional provisions of every five years because of socio-
economic and political changes in the country. The allocation was last
reviewed in 1992.
He said the Commission was ready to present a new revenue sharing
formula to the President for onward transmission to the National
Assembly by December, adding that ongoing consultation and
sensitisation across the country were aimed at avoiding past pitfalls that
made past attempts to review the formula unsuccessful.
