By: John Bassey, Kebbi.
The Kebbi State Government has reaffirmed its commitment to providing all necessary support to the Revenue Mobilization Allocation and Fiscal Commission (RMAFC) to ensure the successful conduct of the nationwide data verification exercise aimed at strengthening Nigeria’s revenue allocation system.
Governor Nasir Idris made the pledge through the Deputy Governor of Kebbi State, Senator Umar Abubakar Tafida, while receiving officials of the Revenue Mobilization Allocation and Fiscal Commission and members of the Federation Account Allocation Committee Joint Working Group in Birnin Kebbi.
The Governor, who welcomed the delegation to Kebbi State, said the state government fully understood the importance of accurate and reliable data in determining equitable revenue allocation for states and local governments across the country.
He explained that Governor Nasir Idris would have personally received the delegation but was unavoidably away in Abuja on official national assignments.
Senator Tafida disclosed that the Governor had already directed the Ministry of Finance, the Board of Internal Revenue, commissioners, local government chairmen, and heads of Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs) to provide maximum cooperation and all required support to the visiting team to facilitate the smooth execution of the assignment.
According to him, the success of the verification exercise would ultimately benefit Kebbi State and its people, stressing that accurate data remains critical to ensuring that states receive their rightful allocations for developmental projects and improved service delivery.
He assured the delegation that all reports and relevant information required for verification and monitoring would be made readily available within the shortest possible time to enable the team to complete its assignment successfully.
The Deputy Governor also assured the delegation that the Kebbi State Government would allocate a plot of land to the Commission, as requested, for the construction of its office in the state.
Earlier, the leader of the delegation, Professor Olusegun Adekunle Wright, described the nationwide data verification exercise as a critical national assignment aimed at reviewing and updating data used in revenue allocation among states and local governments.
Professor Wright explained that the exercise was in line with the constitutional mandate of the Revenue Mobilization Allocation and Fiscal Commission under the 1999 Constitution to continuously review the revenue allocation formula in response to changing socio-economic realities.
He noted that population growth, infrastructure expansion, and emerging developmental challenges make periodic verification and updating of data imperative to ensure fairness, equity, and justice in the sharing of national resources.
The professor commended Governor Nasir Idris for the warm reception accorded to the commission’s team since their arrival in Kebbi State and appreciated the effective coordination and hospitality extended to them.
He also acknowledged the support of the host commissioner, Hon. Rakiya Tanko Ayuba, and praised the collaboration between the commission and various ministries, departments, and agencies in the state.
Professor Wright urged all relevant departments and officials to remain fully mobilized and cooperative throughout the exercise to ensure that Kebbi State does not lose out on revenue derivation opportunities.
He assured the state government that the commission remains committed to professionalism, transparency, and objectivity, adding that the teams deployed for the assignment had been carefully selected and trained to uphold the highest standards of integrity.
Also speaking, Hon. Rakiya Tanko Ayuba, one of the commissioners of RMAFC, expressed appreciation to Governor Nasir Idris for the continuous support and warm reception consistently extended to the commission whenever its officials visit Kebbi State.
She described Kebbi as “my state” and commended the cordial working relationship existing between the commission and the state government.
Hon. Rakiya further appealed to the Kebbi State Government to consider allocating a plot of land to the commission for the construction of a state office, noting that such a development would further strengthen collaboration and operational efficiency.
She reiterated the commission’s commitment to working closely with Kebbi State in advancing its revenue and developmental interests.
