… Calls for Stronger Monitoring to Boost State’s IGR
The Federal Commissioner representing Abia State at the Revenue Mobilisation, Allocation and Fiscal Commission (RAMFAC), Mrs Nkechi Oti, has raised concerns about the challenges affecting revenue allocation to Abia State, with a pledge to secure improved revenue inflow for the State.
Speaking during a visit to Governor Otti, where she presented a report on the findings of her familiarization tour of Abia, Mrs Oti explained that her visit formed part of her mandate to understand the processes and challenges surrounding revenue allocation to the State, in order to advocate more effectively at the federal level.
She disclosed that her visit and fact-finding tour, undertaken with her eight-member team across key agencies, uncovered gaps that have hindered optimal revenue inflow for Abia State.
The RAMFAC Representative called for improved monitoring of the State’s solid mineral sector, stronger inter-ministerial collaboration, and enhanced training for Local government Staff to boost Internally Generated Revenue (IGR).
She listed some challenges affecting the State’s oil-producing areas to include electricity deficits, security lapses and revealed that some oil wells belonging to Abia had allegedly been ceded to neighbouring States, urging the Governor to intervene.
“I therefore plead that probably we should involve the Ministry of Land Reclamation to look at it objectively, so that we know that we are working on our own path without feeling surcharged”, she appealed.
Mrs Oti warned that gaps in statutory payments like stamp duties and tax remittances could affect Abia’s share from the Federation Account.
The RAMFAC Representative commended Governor Otti’s administration for remarkable strides, noting that “our Governor has done super well on the areas of projects, building markets, renovations of schools.
“We are also aware that he has employed 5,000 teachers, which automatically has increased our revenue in the future to come”, she said.
She highlighted the administration’s achievements in revenue digitalisation, saying, “We don’t need to struggle on this paperwork anymore”.
Responding, Governor Otti thanked the RAMFAC Representative and her team for the visit and pledged that his administration would address the issues raised.
“Ours is a very responsible government and things should be done properly.
“There is still early days, modest improvement that we have made here because of our insistence on governance, just ensuring that we are fair to people and that justice is not only the best thing to have been done”.
He revealed that the State had already set up a company, Abia Petroleum Trading and Allied Limited (APTA), to oversee the recovery and management of oil wells and stressed the importance of working with the Federal Government to secure the State’s interests.
The Governor also acknowledged Mrs Oti’s concerns about local government staffing and assured that the administration would pursue restructuring without throwing workers into the job market.
“The truth is that we do not want to throw people into the job market. If there is excess capacity, it could be sent somewhere else, rather than putting them in the job market”, he said.
Governor Otti reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to prudent financial management and debt reduction and urged the RAMFAC representative to help the State increase it’s federal allocations.
He thanked Mrs Oti for her dedication and pledged to study the report submitted.
