Katsina State Governor, Aminu Masari, on Wednesday canvassed for a change in the revenue allocation formula in favour of States and Local Government Areas.
According to him, states and local governments have more responsibilities as such would require more funds to meet their obligations noting that the current formula which is heavily tilted in favour of the Federal Government was unfair.
Masari said this while addressing a delegation from the Revenue Mobilisation and Fiscal Commission, who paid him a courtesy call as part of its sensitisation visit to the state.
The governor said, “From 1999 till date, we have not been able to come up with a new Revenue Allocation Formula despite constitutional provision to do so. The formula has become stagnant; it is lopsided. It puts more resources at the centre and fewer resources for states and local governments.
The burden and responsibilities of daily needs are at state and local government levels. The Federal Government has various revenue-earning parastatals and some of them do not contribute to the Federation Account but it is the consolidated revenue of the Federal Government and this revenue is not shared.
“The current formula has given the Federal Government over 50 per cent while states and local governments share less than 40 per cent. This is where the people are; this is where the problems are. State governments partly fund federal agencies in the states because each time they come here; they ask for money.
Under the current formula, the responsibilities of the Federal Government with regards to its functions under the Constitution are not adequately being taken care of. This formula is stale, unfair, unjust and there has to be a change to address the realities of today and prepare us for tomorrow.”
A Federal Commissioner at the RMAFC, Kabir Mashi, who led the delegation earlier told the gyovernor that the delegation was in Katsina for an advocacy and sensitisation visit.
