Abia State Governor, Dr Alex Otti, has called on the Revenue Mobilisation Allocation and Fiscal Commission (RMFAC) to step up its monitoring of revenue allocations to states and government agencies to ensure judicious use of public funds.
Governor Otti made the call at Government House, Umuahia, while receiving in audience a delegation led by the Federal Commissioner representing Abia State at the RMFAC, Mrs Nkechi Oti.
The Governor, represented by his Chief of Staff, Pastor Caleb Ajagba, stressed the need for a national framework that would enable citizens to track how public funds are disbursed and utilised.
“You should come up with a framework that will enable people to monitor what is being given to them, whether State or Federal.
“Because it is not just knowing the revenue allocated to them; at the end of the day, we should also be accountable. Accountability is one of the issues that will make us stand tall in the comity of States”, he added.
Governor Otti noted that prudent management of resources had enabled his administration to undertake various development projects despite limited allocations.
“You can see what is being done in Abia today, it’s not because Abia receives the highest in terms of allocation but because we have learnt financial discipline.
“This Government understands the needs of Abia and also knows how to monitor every dime that accrues to the State to make sure that they are judiciously utilised.
“One question that anyone who comes to Abia State will always ask is: where is Governor Otti getting the money to execute the various projects?
“So, you can see financial discipline. You can see financial prudence in terms of management”, the Governor said.
He highlighted that the State Government had cleared outstanding salary arrears within two years, rehabilitated roads including the notorious Port Harcourt Road in Aba, retrofitted hospitals, and renovated schools among various other projects.
Governor Otti congratulated Mrs Nkechi Oti on her appointment and urged her to represent Abia well at the Commission.
In her remarks, Mrs Oti said her visit was part of her familiarization tour since assuming office a few months ago and pledged to engage all relevant stakeholders on revenue mobilisation and allocation in the state.
Mrs Oti commended Governor Otti for deploying Federal allocations prudently, assuring him of her commitment to work in synergy with the Abia State Government.
