Shettima Umar Abba Gana, acting Chairman of Revenue Mobilisation Allocation and Fiscal Commission (RMAFC), who
opened the lid and called for an amendment of the laws setting up the affected
31 government agencies explained that the sought-for amendments are to ensure
that the revenues generated by the agencies are pooled into the Federation
Account. That way, such revenues become available for distribution to the three
tiers of government in line with subsisting revenue sharing formula between them.
It is
noteworthy that these agencies have been in existence and most, if not all, of
them were established during the military era when they were made only
accountable to the federal government. It is also of importance to observe that
the RMAFC or its equivalent had also operated in the country for many years
without raising any issue with the way the revenues from the agencies were
being handled.
So, while
the revenue commission’s current finding and request are apt, it is worthy of
note that it is only at this point in time when the country is facing severe
financial and economic challenges that the Commission is waking up to the
reality that those agencies are using ‘’federation assets’’ in their operations
and therefore their revenues should be for the Federation Account. This means,
in typical Nigerian fashion, an aberration has gone on unchecked for so long.
This glaring usurpation of what belongs to the 3-tiers of government by one
tier is an impunity that kills a nation. It is regrettable that this has lasted
for so long and must stop now.
What may
have happened is that the previous leaderships of the RMAFC did not have the
courage to make public the situation or indeed, call the National Assembly’s
attention to it for correction. Having failed the nation in carrying out some
of its duties dispassionately, it is also clear that there were weaknesses in
the commission’s system. Thus, it may therefore, not be difficult to believe
that this discovery and its coming to public light now, may have resulted from
the insight of a well informed and mere courageous leadership. Gratifying as
this may seem, it illustrates the weakness of that institution, the strength of
which is only as it is embodied by a strong man. Nigeria needs strong astute
men. But she needs strong institutions more.
Notwithstanding
that the amendment of the laws will take a long time to be realized given the
rigorous processes in either making a new law or amending existing ones, the
time to commence action now. The National Assembly should of necessity
appreciate the well informed rationale and objectives adduced by RMAFC and
therefore accord the request due attention in order to assure proper and
holistic accretion of funds in the Federation Account and equitable
distribution thereof.
It should be
emphasized that the current situation as revealed is part of the pillars of
justification for the practice of true federalism in Nigeria. When true
federalism is in practice, each level of government will be conscious of its
available sources of revenue and do everything reasonable and lawful to exploit
them for its programmes. That way, dependence on the central government would
be drastically reduced and healthy competition among the constituent parts of
the country will be enhanced leading to across-board development.
It is
important also to acknowledge the current leadership of RMAFC, which has not
only observed the on-going illegality but had the courage and forthrightness to
bring it to the attention, not of the Executive but the Legislative arm of
government whose duty it is to remedy the situation by Acts of the National
Assembly. What it has done is to challenge the status quo with a view to
ensuring fair play in the administration of funds belonging to all members of
the federation. Nigeria needs men and women who are not ready to circumvent,
bend or break the laws of the land either to satisfy ephemeral masters or
themselves. The nation needs men and women who can challenge impunity and
illegality without selfish intentions or expectations even at personal risks.
Such men and women in time, become beacons of trusted leadership and building
blocks for a fair and equitable nation.
The ball is
now in the court of the National Assembly and Nigerians are waiting to see what
kind of treatment it gives to RMAFC’s proposal, which would signal faith in a
genuine federation. (Guardian)
No comments:
Post a Comment