UMO ENO URGES RMAFC TO INCREASE STATES’ SHARE OF REVENUE ALLOCATION
Akwa Ibom State Governor, Pastor Umo Eno, has called on the Revenue Mobilization Allocation and Fiscal Commission (RMAFC) to rework Nigeria’s revenue allocation formula in a manner that prioritizes states and local governments. Speaking at the opening session of RMAFC’s retreat in Uyo on April 28, the Governor stressed that subnational governments bear the brunt of development demands and deserve a greater share of federally collected revenues.
Governor Eno highlighted that Akwa Ibom, as one of Nigeria’s top oil-producing states, has been shouldering critical infrastructural development without depending on bank loans. “In the last 23 months, we have not borrowed a dime from any commercial bank. Yet, we are building roads, schools, and rural infrastructure, funding social interventions, and running a transparent administration,” he said. He emphasized that oil-producing states should receive their full entitlements from the 13% derivation fund and other related statutory revenues.
He praised President Bola Tinubu’s subsidy removal policy, noting that while the policy was tough, it resulted in increased revenue flows to states. However, he urged that these gains must be matched by fairness in distribution, and states with natural resource endowments should not be shortchanged.
Representing Vice President Kashim Shettima at the retreat, Special Adviser on Debt and Revenue Ibrahim Natagwandu encouraged the Commission to protect national unity through equitable revenue allocation. RMAFC Chairman Dr. Mohammed Bello Shehu assured that the Commission would consider the Governor’s call seriously, adding that such conversations were the essence of the retreat.
