From Vincent Nyinongu, Makurdi

The Commissioner representing Benue State in the Revenue Mobilization Allocation and Fiscal Commissioner, Mr. Adaa Maagbe has said that the commission had made strenuous efforts at reinventing the sharing formulae for revenue in the country, which have not been implemented by Federal Government.

Maagbe stated this yesterday during a sensitization engagement with Benue State Government at the Benue People’s House, Makurdi.

The Revenue Mobilisation, Allocation and Fiscal Commission, was on a tour to sensitise the nation and receive inputs on appropriate revenue sharing formulae for the country.

Maagbe disclosed that the visit was a sensitisation exercise to review the vertical revenue allocation formulae that had been in existence for long.

He explained that the law provides for a review of the formulae and principles in operation to ensure conformity with changing realities through an Act of the National Assembly after a period of five years.

He regretted that this exercise had been carried out many times in the past recalling the similar exercises done in 2004 and 2014 which the federal had failed on his part to send to the National Assembly for legislation as required by law to formulate new formulae that’d meet the reality on ground.

Maagbe called on states government and the people to praise on the federal government to implement the report this time around so that the exercise does not end up in futility.

The Commissioner implored Benue State Government to wake up to her right and pursue various sums of money meant for the state which have been lying dormant without no one to attend to. The funds are meant for solid mineral development, use of natural resources in the state and ecological funds.

Governor Samuel Ortom in his remarks advocated for allocation of more funds to states and local governments from the Federation’s Account.

Governor Ortom made the call today at the Benue Peoples House Makurdi when he received the Federal Commissioner, RMAFC representing Benue State, Mr Adaa Maagbe during a sensitisation tour of the State.

Governor Ortom suggested that local governments take 23 percent of the Federal Allocation, states 42 percent while the Federal Government goes home with 35 percent.

According to the Governor, states have more responsibilities and should take the lion share of the Federal Allocation, pointing out that the FG can only monitor what happens in the states after releasing such funds to them.

He stated that in view of the security challenges facing the states, Governors believe in having State Police which implies that more resources are needed to salvage such situations.

The Governor noted that the FG has clearly demonstrated that it is overwhelmed by the security challenges and so it should push the responsibilities to States and back it up with more resources.

Tor Kwande, Chief Ambrose Iortyer urged the FG to reduce the number of parastatals under it and devolve some to states and local governments to reduce its spending while Tor Lobi, Chief Moses Anagende said the agitations for restructuring means more resources be given to states.