Association Seeks New Revenue Sharing Formula

The Chairman, Association of Local Governments of Nigeria (ALGON),   Plateau Chapter, Mr Emmanuel Loman, has advocated a revenue sharing formula that would favour local governments than other tiers.
Loman said  at a sensitisation programme organised by the Revenue Mobilisation Allocation and Fiscal Commission that the current revenue sharing formulae was “lopsided and very little“.
“We are in dire need of reviewing our revenue allocation percentages to give those of us at the local government areas some kind of relief.
“We know that some federal agencies return unspent funds to the treasury while we in the councils are lacking fund to take care of our many people-oriented programmes.
He said there are so many needs at the grassroots that cannot be met simply because what comes to us by way of revenue from the Federation Account is very little”.
Loman said that more money to local government councils would be a source of relief to them and was likely to shore up the leaderships’ sense of responsibility to the grassroots.
Federal Commissioner, Revenue Mobilisation Allocation and Fiscal Commission, Mr Yusuf Pam, said that sensitisation to the proposed review of the revenue allocation among governments in the federation was necessary.
“Since 1992, there has never been a major review of the revenue allocation formula even though the law envisages a five-year review of any operating formula.
He said “the Federal Government and the commission deem the proposed review necessary, considering the public outcry against it“.
Pam called on Nigerians to contribute positively and submit their memoranda towards a fruitful review of the current formula.
He said “there will be a zonal conference where all the memoranda will be collected and  a proposal prepared and sent to Mr President for consideration and passage to the National Assembly“.