Allocate more funds to States, LGAs, Umahi tells RMAFC

BY VICTOR NWEGEDE

Ebonyi State Governor, Engr. David Nweze Umahi has called on Revenue  Mobilization, Allocation and Fiscal Commission (RMAFC) to urgently review the current revenue formular to allocate more funds  to States and Local Government Areas in the country. 



Umahi at Old Government House, Abakaliki on Wednesday, made the call during the visit of the delegation from the commission led by Barr Patrick Mgbebu.

The State Governor who was represented by his Deputy, Barr Eric Kelechi Igwe said, allocating more funds to the states and local government councils, other than Federal government will fast track the development of the country.


He equally stated that the review will reflect justice and equity, which a nation is known for. 


"Nigeria has 36 States and each State is an integral part of the nation, it is a nation built on equity, trust and justice and we believe that it has not reflected in the current revenue sharing formular," he said.

He said states have been shouldering the burdens of confronting the current security challenges in the country, and therefore, required more resources to succeed in the task.


He therefore, urged the commission to ensure that opinions of Ebonyi people reflect on the national dialogue.

Earlier, the leader of the delegation, Barr. Patrick Mgbebu said they are in the state for sensitisation on topical issue of review of existing vertical allocation formular that has been  operational for a long time.

Barr Mgbebu who is the member representing Ebonyi in the Commission said the commission has the constitutional mandate of reviewing revenue allocation formular to conform with changing realities.


"In view of the changing socio-economic dynamics of the nation, the commission has been prompted  to commence  full scale engagement of representatives of various stakeholders to fashion a  new allocation formular," Mgbebu said.