The Revenue Mobilisation Allocation and Fiscal Commission (RMAFC) has called on the federal government to review the implementation of the Petroleum Industry Act (PIA) and the financial autonomy of Nigeria’s 774 local government areas.
The call was made in a communiqué issued at the end of a three-day retreat held in Uyo, Akwa Ibom State, themed: “Understanding the Role of Revenue Mobilisation Allocation and Fiscal Commission and other Stakeholders/Agencies in Nation Building.”
The document was jointly signed by RMAFC Chairman, Dr. Muhammed Shehu, and Secretary, Engr. Joseph Okechukwu Nwazeb.
The commission emphasised the need for constitutional amendments to support the Supreme Court’s July 2024 ruling on local government financial autonomy.
“Section 162(6) of the Constitution should be amended to ensure that allocations to the 774 local governments are paid directly to them from the Federation Account in line with the Supreme Court ruling,” the communiqué stated.
RMAFC also recommended amending Section 162(2) of the Constitution to specify a time frame within which the president must present the commission’s proposed revenue allocation formula to the National Assembly.
The commission further urged the inclusion of local government chairmen and councillors in the constitutional list of public officers entitled to remuneration from the Federation Account.
On the Petroleum Industry Act, RMAFC proposed an amendment to expand the board of the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL) to include representatives from the states, local governments, and the Central Bank of Nigeria.
