Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), Mr. Boss Mustapha has stressed the need for the Revenue Mobilization, Allocation And Fiscal Commission (RMAFC) to do more towards ensuring more revenue from the non-oil sector.
Mustapha who gave this charge, Thursday during the inauguration of the new Chairman and members of the RMAFC in Abuja, observed that the earnings of the country had faced serious shortfall in the face of the COVID-19 Pandemic.
He, however, noted that the country would make better use of whatever other earnings that could be made from non-oil sources.
Mustapha spoke after President Muhammadu Buhari had inaugurated the RMAFC, along with Chairman and members of chairmen and members of Federal Character Commission (FCC) and Federal Civil Service Commission (FCSC).
Speaking further, he said, “Basically, they have some constitutional responsibilities because all these commissions are mentioned in the constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria and so that presupposes that already the constitution has provided for them a mandate. More especially as we are notching towards the end of the President’s tenure.
“We have just spent a year and we have three years to go but there are so many things that we want them to begin to do in terms of reenergizing the system. The Federal Character Commission particularly has the responsibilities in the constitution which is very fundamental to ensure equitable distribution of not only offices but even of amenities and benefits and welfare to the people of the country.
“RMAFC is very critical, particularly now that we have very serious shortfall in our earnings. The essence of the revenue mobilization is to look at the non-oil sector particularly in terms of mobilizing revenue for the country. I believe that now that they have full compliment of their membership, they should be able to give it the necessary drive,” he said.
Abiodun Akinlade representing Ogun State, on his part said he will ensure that what is due the people he represents are equitably distributed in accordance with the mandate of the commission as enshrined in the constitution.
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Members of RMAFC sworn-in are, Ahmed Yusuf from Taraba; Bello Wamakko from Sokoto; Oladele Gboyega from Osun; Adamu Dibai from Borno; Alfred Egba from Bayelsa and Hajiya Salamatu Bala from Adamawa.
The President swore-in Muheeda Dankaka as the Chairperson of the FCC and 36 other members of the board.
The 36 members of the FCC included Henry Ogbulogo (Abia), Salihu Bello (Adamawa), Dorah Daniel (Akwa-Ibom), Ibeabuchi Uche, (Anambra), Mohammed Tijjani, (Bauchi), Tonye Okio (Bayelsa) and Silas Macikpah (Benue).
Others were Abba Ali Monguno (Borno), Nsor Atamgba (Cross River), Alims Agoda (Delta), Tobias Chukuemeka (Ebonyi), Imuetinyan Festus (Edo), Sesan Fatoba (Ekiti), Ginika Tor (Enugu). Hamza Mohammed (Gombe), Diogu Uche, (Imo) and Lawan Ya’u Roni (Jigawa).
Also sworn-in were Hadiza Muazu (Kaduna), Mohammed Na’iya (Kano), Lawal Garba (Katsina), Abubakar Atiku Bunu (Kebbi), Idris Bello (Kogi), Are Bolaji (Lagos), Nasir Isa Kwarra (Nasarawa), and Suleiman Barau (Niger).
Others sworn in were Abiodun Akinlade (Ogun), Olufemi Omosanya (Ondo), Adeoye Olalekan (Osun) Adeniyi Olowofela (Oyo), Stephen Jings (Plateau), Wokocha Augustine (Rivers), Abdullahi Tafida (Sokoto), Alhaji Armaya’u Abubakar (Taraba), Jibril Maigari (Yobe), Sani Garba (Zamfara) and Adamu Sidi-Ali (Federal Capital Territory).
For the Federal Civil Service Commission, two members were sworn-in. They include, Dr Jonah Madugu from Plateau State, (Representing Plateau, Benue and Nasarawa States) and Dr Fredrick Ekwem from Imo State, (Representing Imo and Abia States.)
