Ekiti State Governor, Mr Biodun Oyebanji has solicited the support of the Revenue Mobilization Allocation and Fiscal Commission (RMAFC) for sustainable development of the state by addressing the revenue accruable to the State from the Federation account.
Governor Oyebanji made the call in Ado- Ekiti on Monday when he received a team from the Commission led by one of its federal commissioners, Hon Wumi Ogunlola.
He said while previous efforts of the commission has yet to yield positive result for the state, he is hopeful that the current efforts would give Ekiti a better deal so that the state would move up the revenue ladder .
While acknowledging various efforts of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu at ensuring that the subnational are at the top of financial situation in their states, Governor Oyebanji commended the President for the bold step he took to rejig the economy as well as being intentional in the drive to give breathing space to the states to perform effectively and efficiently.
The Governor also assured the commission that his administration will continue to support it because of the importance and strategic position of RMAFC in the drive to make it achieve its desired success.
He implored them to visit some on-going projects to really appreciate the shared prosperity agenda and support the vision of his administration.
“We have a President now that is intentional and that also wants the sub-nationals to breath, and based on that, we are going to give every necessary support to you, and that is why I’ve invited ministries that have one or two things to do with you, and we hope that this will be a new beginning in the relationship between the state and RMAFC, I have absolute confidence in your ability to do what is right.
“Please go out and see what we have done and you see the reason why we need help. When you look at the revenue ladder, you will see that it’s either we are the last or we are second to the last. But that is not even the problem, We just want to be treated fairly and we want to be treated as part of the subnational because we contribute our quota to the development of the country. He stated.
Speaking earlier, the leader of the team, Hon Wumi Ogunlola said RMAFC members are in the state to validate the integrity and accuracy of the data that will ultimately inform the distribution of revenue across the Federation. She added that the revenue allocation system was built on a set of indices that seek to ensure fairness, equity, and justice in the sharing of national resources as well as the evolution of the socio-economic realities where population dynamics change, infrastructure expands, developmental gaps shift, and new challenges emerge.
Hon Ogunlola said the team will collaborate with state ministries, departments, agencies to ensure accurate and credible data verification and collection that reflects on-ground realities. She also sought the state government’s assistance and cooperation in providing access to relevant data and records; designating competent liaison officers to work with the team; facilitate access to Local Government Areas as well as ensure a conducive environment for the exercise.
While asserting that the outcome of this exercise will have significant implications for the Federation as a whole and for Ekiti State in particular, Ogunlola used the opportunity to assure government of its commitment to professionalism, transparency, and objectivity throughout the exercise adding that members of the team have been carefully selected and trained to carry out the assignment with the highest level of integrity, in line with national and international best practices.
The meeting was also attended by the Secretary to the State Government, Prof Habibat Adubiaro, Chief of Staff, Mr Niyi Adebayo, Commissioners for Health and Human Services, Dr Oyebanji Filani, Education, Dr Bimpe Aderiye; Local Government Affairs, Chief Folorunso Olabode; Executive Chairman of the Ekiti State Internal Revenue Service Mr. Olaniran Olatona and Special Adviser on Media, Mr Yinka Oyebode.
