Gombe gov asks RMAFC to raise state allocation

Gombe State Governor, Muhammadu Yahaya on Thursday called on the Revenue Mobilisation Allocation and Fiscal Commission to look into the possibility of rewarding the state by increasing allocation to compensate for its incredible performance on social and economic indicators at national and sub-regional levels.

Yahaya stated this when he granted an audience to members of the commission led by the Federal Commissioner representing Adamawa State, Salamatu Mohammed, on Thursday at the Government House, Gombe.

Represented by the Secretary to Government of the State, Prof Ibrahim Njodi, the governor observed that the state has been coming top in so many indices, adding that “the commission should  look at the suitability of using such indicators as a yardstick for allocation to sub-national level.”

He said his administration enjoys the cordial working relationship existing between Gombe State and the Revenue Mobilisation Allocation and Fiscal Commission, emphasising the state stands ready to keep the partnership going.

Speaking earlier, the leader of the delegation and Federal Commissioner representing Adamawa State in the commission Mohammed, said as part of its constitutional responsibility, “the team is in the state to monitor the disbursement of funds to the state and local government areas to ensure that sub nationals are not short-changed in what is due to them.”

She recalled that states and local government areas have approached the Revenue Mobilisation Allocation and Fiscal with complaints of being underpaid explaining that such statutory visits to states enable the commission to better appreciate the challenges and how to tackle them.

She disclosed the exercise will look at disbursement to Gombe State from 1999 to 2021 which will enable the commission to know if the state has been receiving what is due to her.

While expressing gratitude to Yahaya for his good policies, the Commissioner representing Adamawa State said “The commission will continue to ensure justice and fairness in the allocation of resources to sub-nationals.”

Recall that in September 2021, Yahaya, also called for the upward review of revenue allocated to states.

The governor made this plea in his address during a nationwide sensitisation on the review of the existing revenue allocation formula by RMAFC, held at the banquet hall, Gombe Government House.

He lamented why states despite the responsibilities of shouldering the needs of the people would be left with 26.72 per cent, adding that the Federal Government has lesser task.