Governor Muhammad Yahaya of Gombe State has advocated a review of the revenue sharing formula with states having 52 per cent, the federal 30 while the remaining goes to local councils.
The governor made this known in his keynote address at the nationwide sensitisation review of the revenue allocation formula initiated by the Revenue Mobilisation, Allocation and Fiscal Commission (RMAFC), yesterday, in Gombe.
He said: “As for us in Gombe, let the federal take 30 per cent, the state 52 per cent while the local councils take the rest.”
While commending the Elias Mbam-led RMAFC for initiating the review, Yahaya noted that the last time such review was successfully conducted was in 1992.
“Since then, a lot of changes have taken place across our social, political and economic spheres, necessitating a review to ensure a fairer and equitable allocation formula that is compatible with our current realities,” he added.
According to him, all the 36 states collect a paltry 26.72 per cent and the 774 local councils 20.60 per cent of accruals from the federal purse, leaving the Federal Government with 52.8 per cent.
He, however, said: “Over the past decades, the roles of states have expanded, while our revenue allocation has remained the same, as we are forced to deal with emerging challenges like insecurity, environmental degradation, decaying infrastructure, inadequate funding for primary healthcare and basic education.
“As the roles of states keep expanding, there is need for review of the allocation formula to ensure states get the required resources to be able to deliver on new and existing responsibilities,” he added.
The state’s representative at the RMAFC, Alhaji Usman Kabir, had explained that the sensitisation was for improved revenue sharing formula that would enhance better democratic performance of the country.
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