In a bid to enhance the effectiveness and efficiency of the Revenue Mobilisation Allocation and Fiscal Commission (RMAFC), the House of Representatives has expressed its commitment to equipping the Commission with the necessary tools and resources to fulfill its statutory mandates.
The Speaker of the House of Representatives, Rt Hon Abbas Tajudeen, made this assurance during a courtesy visit by the management team of RMAFC to his office in Abuja on Tuesday. Recognising the numerous challenges faced by the Commission, including inadequate funding and infrastructure, the Speaker vowed to address these issues and empower the agency to carry out its vital functions.
Speaker Abbas revealed his personal familiarity with the RMAFC, having served as a member of the House Committee on Finance for eight years, from 2011 to 2019. Drawing on his experience, he advocated for additional powers for the Commission and expressed the commitment of the 10th House under his leadership to support and strengthen the agency.
“One thing that you can take away from this meeting is that the National Assembly, this time around, will make the difference you require,” Speaker Abbas affirmed.
Mohammed Bello Shehu, Chairman of the Commission, emphasized the need to review the Act that established the RMAFC in order to empower the Commission further and enable it to function optimally.
“We require enforcement powers, increased independence, and improved funding. The current lack of funds hampers our ability to carry out our mandated responsibilities,” Shehu explained.
The house’s commitment to strengthening the RMAFC provides hope for enhanced revenue mobilization and allocation, as well as improved fiscal management in Nigeria. By empowering the Commission with the necessary resources and authority, the House of Representatives is taking a significant step towards ensuring accountability and transparency in the country’s financial processes.
