The Chairman of the Revenue Mobilisation Allocation and Fiscal Commission (RMAFC), Dr Muhammed Bello Shehu, has commended Abia State Governor, Dr Alex Otti, for the prudent management of the resources available to the state.
Dr Shehu made the commendation on Tuesday when he led commissioners and other members of the commission on a courtesy visit to Governor Otti at his office in Nvosi, Isialangwa South Local Government Area.
The RMAFC chairman said he was impressed by the level of development recorded in the state since Governor Otti assumed office, particularly in road infrastructure, education, healthcare and fiscal management.
He said the Otti led administration’s achievements provided evidence that available public resources could be effectively deployed to address critical development needs.
“I am so glad that today I am able to make it, to see you here, and to see all the developmental strides that you have taken and are still undertaking since you assumed office as the Executive Governor of this State.
“I wouldn’t hesitate to say that this State is blessed to have you as Governor.
“Every independent analyst will testify that this is the best, if not the best governed State in Nigeria. And you are certainly the best among all those who have governed the State”, he said.
Dr Shehu lauded the present administration’s road infrastructure programme noting that more than 400 kilometres of roads, including bridges, had either been constructed or rehabilitated across Abia.
He also praised the state government’s interventions in education, especially the recruitment of thousands of teachers and the ongoing renovation and upgrading of schools.
The RMFAC Boss said the administration has equally made appreciable efforts in primary healthcare, fiscal transparency and security.
He linked the state’s improved fiscal performance and peaceful environment to what he described as responsible management of public resources.
Dr Shehu further cited Abia’s movement from 17th to fourth position in fiscal transparency as a significant achievement and commended the governor for reducing the state’s debt burden.
According to him, the developments recorded in the state showed what could be accomplished when statutory allocations and other resources accruing to government were deployed efficiently.
The RMAFC chairman also acknowledged governor Otti’s support for the commission, particularly the provision of land for the construction of its permanent office in Abia.
He said the commission is currently implementing reforms aimed at strengthening revenue monitoring, expanding digitalisation and improving access to real-time revenue information from revenue-generating agencies.
Dr Shehu also disclosed that RMAFC is working on a new revenue allocation formula, arguing that the existing arrangement had been in place for several decades and needed to reflect the changing responsibilities of the three tiers of government.
He noted that states were now taking on responsibilities in areas such as transportation infrastructure and other sectors that had traditionally been dominated by the Federal Government.
The chairman also spoke on the Natural Resources Development Fund, saying the commission is taking steps to recover funds meant for development and ensure their appropriate distribution and utilisation.
Responding, Governor Otti thanked the RMAFC chairman for his commendation and said his administration had focused on using available resources to address the state’s most pressing needs.
Governor Otti said his administration devoted more than 80 per cent of its annual budgets in each of the last three years to capital expenditure, with particular attention to infrastructure, education and healthcare.
The Governor expressed support for the commission’s proposed reforms, especially the review of the revenue allocation formula.
“We are very happy that you are doing what you are doing there and we know that with the changes that you are proposing and with the President supporting us, we know we can as states be more empowered”, he said.
According to the governor, greater financial capacity for states would enable them to take on more responsibilities and deliver additional development to their people.
Governor Otti also explained that his administration had not allowed the classification of roads as either federal or state roads to prevent it from intervening where citizens needed infrastructure.
“Most of the roads you passed through are Federal roads. For me, I don’t draw that line. The only thing, I will go to the federal government. And I say, I want to build my road for my people. And they will give me authorisation,” he said.
The governor said Abia’s financial limitations made prudent allocation of resources particularly important.
“We are a very small state when we look at allocation. We are almost number 20. Even though we have oil in one local government, but is not that much.
“All what we are doing good work, is because we efficiently allocate our limited resources to areas of most important need”,he added.
Governor Otti also expressed optimism that the proposed revenue allocation review would be concluded soon, saying states required greater resources to meet their expanding responsibilities.
The governor subsequently presented a Certificate of Occupancy to the RMAFC chairman for the commission’s permanent office in Abia.
The gesture, according to the state government, makes Abia the first state in the South-East to provide land to RMAFC for the construction of an office.
