RMFAC Commends Governor Otti For Prudent Management of Resources,

By Editor, Umuahia

Abia state governor, Dr. Alex Otti has issued a certificate of occupancy to the Chairman of the Revenue Mobilisation Allocation and Fiscal Commission (RMAFC), Dr. Mohammed Bello Shehu for the commencement of building of office structure in the state.

The chairman during a visit to the governor in his country home in Nvosi recently commended Governor Alex Otti for the prudent management of Abia State resources.

Dr. Shehu who gave the commendation while in the company of his commissioners and other members of his delegation, noted that Abia residents are blessed to have Governor Otti, adding that his achievements were evidence of prudent management of resources in the State.

The RMAFC Chairman particularly commended the administration for its massive investment in road infrastructure, noting that the construction and rehabilitation of over 400 roads, including bridges, have significantly impacted the state.

He also applauded the achievements of Governor Otti’s administration in education, especially the recruitment of thousands of teachers, the completed and ongoing renovation and upgrading of schools across the State.Dr. Shehu said, “I am so glad that today, I am able to make it, to see you here, and to see all the developmental strides that you have taken and are still undertaking since you assumed office as the Executive Governor of this State.

“I wouldn’t hesitate to say that this State is blessed to have you as Governor. Every independent analyst will testify that this is one of the best governed States in Nigeria. And you are certainly the best among all those who have governed the State.”

He further acknowledged the administration’s strides in primary healthcare, fiscal transparency and security, noting that the state’s improved fiscal performance and peaceful environment were indications of responsible governance.

He commended the state’s rise from 17th to 4th position in fiscal transparency and the reduction of its debt profile as significant achievements, stressing that they reflect effective utilization of statutory allocations and other resources accruing to the State.

Dr. Shehu disclosed that the Commission was undergoing reforms aimed at strengthening revenue monitoring, enhancing digitalization and improving real-time access to revenue information from revenue-generating agencies.

The Chairman also disclosed that the Commission was working on a new revenue allocation formula, noting that the existing formula had been in operation for decades and needed to reflect the changing responsibilities of the three tiers of government.

According to him, the review had become necessary as states shoulder greater responsibilities, including transportation infrastructure and other sectors previously dominated by the Federal Government.

On the Natural Resources Development Fund, he said steps were being taken to ensure that funds meant for development are recovered and appropriately utilized.

He thanked Governor Otti for providing land for the construction of RMAFC’s office in the State, assuring that the building, when completed, would conform to the Commission’s standard across the country.

Responding, Governor Otti appreciated the RMAFC Chairman for his kind remarks and said his government had been managing available resources to fix the state.

The State Chief Executive disclosed that his administration had consistently committed over 80 percent of its annual budgets in the last three years to capital expenditure, to give infrastructure, education and health a facelift.

“We are very happy that you are doing what you are doing and we know that with the changes you are proposing, and with the President supporting us, states can be more empowered.

“If States are more empowered, they will do a lot more for the people,” he said.

Gov. Otti added that most roads his administration had built were Federal roads, but he did not discriminate as long as authorization was granted to rebuild them for the benefit of Abia people.

“All the good work we are doing is because we efficiently allocate our limited resources to areas of most important need. We are a very small state when you look at allocation.

” We are almost number 20, even though we have oil in one local government, but it is not that much,” Gov. Otti said.

Governor Otti reassured RMAFC of his administration’s continued support and expressed hope that the proposed new revenue formula would be implemented soon to enable states to do more.

Abia was said to be the first state in the South East to provide land to RMAFC for its permanent office.