Rivers Seeks More Revenue Allocation To States, LGs

As a way of improving lives at the grassroots, Rivers State Government has called for improved revenue allocation to states and local government areas.
The request forms part of a three-day Revenue Mobilisation, Allocation and Fiscal Commission’s sensitisation and advocacy tour of Rivers State, recently.
The exercise was expected to go round the six states of the South-South Zone.
Addressing the participants, in Port Harcourt, the state Commissioner for Finance, Isaac Kamalu, lamented that the current federal allocation formula favours the Federal Government more than the states and local governments, which are closer to the people.
He suggested the amendment of the revenue allocation formula in favour of the states and local councils.
This, he believed, would enable them engage in people-oriented projects that would impact lives at the grassroots.
Also, he suggested the need to input the terrain and other environmental challenges faced in the Niger Delta over projects’ execution.
On his part, the Federal Commissioner representing the commission, Alhaji Mohammed Usman, harped on the need for adequate data which would help the agency make its decision on policies.
Usman lamented that poor and bloated figures make it difficult for the commission to take appropriate decisions, but assured that after the exercise, all stakeholders would address their shortcomings.
He thanked the state governor and the people of the state for the warm reception and support in making the exercise a huge success.