Obasanjo Receives New Revenue Formula Today
May Re-appoint commissioners
From Cletus Akwaya in Abuja
President Olusegun Obasanjo will today receive the new revenue allocation formula proposed by the Revenue Mobilisation Allocation and Fiscal Commission (RMAFC).
The presentation slated for this morning in the State House Abuja will coincide with the expiration of the first five -year tenure of the Commission, which is headed by former Federal Permanent Secretary, Engr. Hamman Tukur. The Commission was inaugurated September 20, 1999 by Obasanjo for a five -year term.
Although details of the proposal being submitted today remained a guarded secret, THISDAY learnt that the Federal Government's share might shrink to a little over 48 per cent while the Local Governments might get a little over 22 per cent, the rational being to push more resources to the rural areas where most poor Nigerians reside.
According to the provisions of the 1999 Constitution, the President has the prerogative to nominate members of the Commission, one from each state of the Federation for screening and confirmation by the Senate. In the exercise of that prerogative, however, the President had in the first appointment to the Commission consulted with the governors for nominations.
THISDAY checks revealed that the presentation ceremony will also be used by the commissioners to express gratitude to Obasanjo for the opportunity to serve the nation.
A source in the Presidency disclosed that the re-appointment of the Commissioners had become necessary in view of the pending approval of the new revenue formula by the Senate.
"You know the Senate has to look at this revenue formula and if there is a problem, it would be reverted to the Commission so it is only reasonable that Mr. President retains the present team," the source maintained.
He said although the President was not particularly comfortable with the "independence" of the Commissioners on a number of issues, he was convinced that their experience was relevant on the rather technical and volatile issue of deciding the revenue formula for the country.
Two months ago, Obasanjo was said to have written to the governors informing them of the expiration of tenure of the Commissioners and requesting them to make nominations. Most of the governors were said to have made new nominations, a development which Obasanjo did not find acceptable, the source further informed.
The President, the source disclosed, reasoned that in the course of consideration of the formula, the Senate might be obliged to invite the Commissioners to defend their proposals, a role they can perform only if in office. It was also learnt that since the President would not extend the tenure of the commissioners only for a short period, he had deemed it necessary to approve a second term for the commissioners especially as the constitution allows him to re-appoint them for second term in office.
As part of activities marking the end of the first tenure, the staff and management of the Commission have planned a reception Saturday for the out-going members.
An out-going Commissioner from the North Central Geo-political zone who spoke with THISDAY on condition of anonymity said his colleagues were satisfied with the achievements recorded during the five -year tenure.
Head of Public Relations, Mallam Yushau Shuaib, confirmed that the new revenue formula would be submitted today to the president but was silent on whether the Commissioners were being re-appointed.
He, however, reeled out achievements of the Commission.
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