News
Emmanuel Seeks Hike In Revenue Allocation To States
The Akwa Ibom State Governor, Udom Emmanuel has called on the Federal Government to review upwards the revenue allocation to states in order to improve the economic growth and enhance industrialization in the country.
Emmanuel made this known while receiving a team from the Revenue Mobilization, Allocation and Fiscal Commission (RMAFC) on a sensitization visit led by the Federal Commissioner, Hon. Sunday Ayang, at Government House, Uyo.
The governor urged them to reflect on the major challenges of the states in their input, and work towards its implementation to further assist states tackle pending financial issues.
“Let me appreciate this call to my office, some of the grey areas and concerns you have pointed out, please, I want to appeal that this should be an exercise that will yield results.
“Honestly, the current sharing formula is not helping matters at all, especially we in the oil-producing areas. What you sign into law from the centre is also a major problem. How can you say that a community will take only 3% from the proceeds of the NNPC? It’s generating a lot of heat here but we are trying to manage that.
“Irrespective of going round, we all submitted memoranda for the PIB, but nothing was taken into consideration.
“So, I hope this won’t be a similar exercise. I hope that what we contribute will be taken into consideration? What we should do should help build and unite the country, coordinate economic activities for our growth, and for the interest of everybody so that we can live at peace.
“I welcome you to the state, be rest assured you will have all our cooperation, and the exercise will go smoothly. Please, let it be an exercise that will yield success and not another fruitless labour you are embarking on ’’, the governor stated.
The governor pointed out that the state does not receive revenue from the large gas reserve, VAT from International Oil Companies (IOC) operating in the state.
“Gas is a major issue, I can’t be a state that sits on the largest quantum of gas in this country, and I am not getting anything. 36.1% of oil and gas reserve of Nigeria is in Akwa Ibom State, and I am not getting anything from gas. So, how is it computed? There is something wrong somewhere, it is wrongly computed.
“These are raw data that can be verified anywhere. Now, there is another controversy of VAT, all VAT from these IOCs, where are they paying them to? They are not paying them to us, so there are many things you should look at and develop for the Federal Government.
“So, VAT from IOCs, from oil and gas should actually go to the states these things are produced”.
He called on the Federal Government to review the revenue allocation of the state to address the issue of population increase, marine security along the coastal lines, erosion menace to reduce the burden of the state government.
In his remarks, the team leader from Revenue Mobilization Allocation and Fiscal Commission and Federal Commissioner representing Akwa Ibom State, Hon. Sunday Ayang, stated that the purpose of the visit was to sensitize Akwa Ibom people on the review of sharing formula between the federal, states and local governments, where stakeholders would send in their inputs to capture grey areas.
According to Ayang, the Constitution makes provision for the exercise to be carried out every five years to further improve on revenue among the three tiers of government, noting that the team was working towards presenting memoranda before President Muhammadu Buhari for assessment and necessary action.
“It is an honour to be here, Your Excellency, to discuss matters of revenue allocation formula review, the primary purpose of our visit is to sensitize the people in the state of the fact that Revenue Mobilization Allocation and Fiscal Commission is embarking on an exercise to review vertical formula of sharing the revenue among the three tiers of government’’.
The Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lt.-Gen. Waidi Shaibu, has tasked troops of Operation SAVANNAH SHIELD to dominate the battlespace and intensify offensive operations against kidnappers, bandits and other criminal elements in the North Central region.
Shaibu gave the directive yesterday during his maiden operational visit to the Headquarters, Joint Task Force North Central (JTF-NC), at Sobi Barracks, Ilorin.
This is contained in a statement by the Acting Director, Army Public Relations, Col. Appolonia Anele, in Abuja, yesterday.
Shaibu said the Nigerian Army would remain resolute in its constitutional responsibility of safeguarding lives and property, stressing that troops must sustain pressure to decisively deny criminal elements freedom of action.
He assured personnel of continued deployment of combat enablers and operational resources to enhance clearance operations and dismantle criminal hideouts across Kwara and Niger states.
The COAS reaffirmed his commitment to troop welfare, noting that improved welfare remained critical to sustaining morale, operational effectiveness and combat readiness.
He urged the troops to remain disciplined, professional and loyal to the Constitution and the democratically elected government.
Earlier, the Theatre Commander, JTF-NC Operation SAVANNAH SHIELD, Maj.-Gen. Yakubu Yahaya, commended the COAS for his strategic leadership and support.
Yahaya assured that troops would remain committed and steadfast in restoring peace and stability in the region.
The Nigerian Navy says it is expanding training and infrastructure to address emerging security threats and strengthen operational efficiency across formations and units nationwide.
The Chief of Naval Staff, Vice Adm. Idi Abbas, spoke during the inauguration of projects at the Nigerian Navy Basic Training School (NNBTS) in Onne, Rivers as part of activities marking the Nigerian Navy’s 70th anniversary.
Abbas, represented by the Flag Officer Commanding, Naval Training Command (NAVTRAC), Rear Adm. Ebiobowei Zipele, said the projects reflected significant progress made by the navy since its establishment in 1956 from the British Royal Navy.
“Training and infrastructure have improved significantly to meet contemporary security challenges and fulfil the navy’s constitutional responsibilities.”
According to him, the anniversary provides the navy an opportunity to reflect on its achievements and contributions over the past seven decades.
Projects inaugurated included a remodelled female trainees’ hostel accommodating more than 500 occupants and an expanded golf course upgraded from one to nine holes.
Others were the NNBTS fuel dump, Chief Boatswain’s Mate House, renovated pharmacy department and a new theatre block at the Naval Medical Centre, Onne.
Abbas described the new theatre as a major milestone for the navy’s medical services.
“Previously, injured personnel requiring surgeries were referred outside the facility.
“With this theatre, surgeries can now be conducted within the base.’’
He added that a 30KVA inverter had also been installed to guarantee uninterrupted electricity supply at the training school.
The naval chief assured officers, ratings and trainees that the navy leadership remained committed to their welfare and wellbeing.
“These infrastructure upgrades show the commitment of the Chief of Naval Staff to addressing operational and welfare challenges promptly,” he said.
In addition, NAVTRAC distributed educational materials to pupils of Community Primary Schools One and Two, Ogale, in Ebubu-Eleme area of Rivers.
Items distributed included exercise books, school bags and other writing materials as part of the navy’s civil-military engagement initiative.
Zipele said the outreach was designed to strengthen relations between the navy and host communities while supporting children’s education.
“Education remains critical to national growth and youth empowerment. Some of these pupils may eventually serve in the Nigerian Navy,” he said.
He noted that the initiative demonstrated the navy’s commitment to educational development, peace, security and sustainable community relations.
Zipele urged the pupils to remain disciplined, focused and committed to their studies while embracing patriotism, integrity and hard work.
He thanked the Ebubu community for its continued support for the naval training command headquarters and the navy.
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