Akwa Ibom State Governor, Pastor Umo Eno, has solicited increased revenue to states from the Revenue Mobilization Allocation and Fiscal Commission (RMAFC) to fast track the execution of development projects and programmes in the States.
The Governor made the request, Monday, April 28, 2025, during the opening session of a retreat by officials of RMAFC at the Ibom Hotel and Golf Resort, Uyo.
“It is a privilege to have you in our State. We, as a State decided to support this conference here because of the importance and strategic position of RMAFC.
“The Commission is not just a federal institution but it also belongs to States and Local Government Areas. You are for everybody.
“In the last almost 24 months of my being on this saddle, we have undertaken many audacious projects, spanning hard and soft infrastructure, without borrowing a kobo from the bank, and we are meeting all our commitments.
“We believe that the work you do is strategically important to all of us as a nation. That is what informed Akwa Ibom State to support the Commission in hosting this Conference at this present time, and we will continue to work with you to support you,” he said.
The Governor likened the State to a construction site, saying that projects are executed across the ten Federal Constituencies to underscore the projections of his administration’s ARISE Agenda in the areas of Agricultural Revolution, Rural Development, Infrastructure Expansion and Maintenance, Security Management and Education Advancement.
The State Chief Executive implored delegates to the retreat to visit some ongoing projects to really appreciate and support the vision of the State administration.
He equally requested for the remittance of outstanding accruals from oil revenue to the State.
“Let me appeal to the Commission to look into the area of computing oil revenue remittances, all of the indices as it affects our 13% derivation fund for the oil producing States. We know you are doing something, but we think you can do more so that as the goose that lays the golden egg, we should not suffer. And, we strongly believe this Commission will rise to the occasion,” he stated.
The Governor commended President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for his economic reform policies, which he said would gradually transform the country for good.
“Let me at this point, express our deep appreciation to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for the bold step he took to rejig our economy around the highly contentious issue of the removal of petrol subsidy.
‘Even though we may have experienced certain levels of hardship associated with this bold act, the effect of that courageous move today, has seen most sub-national receiving more funds from the Federation Account and this has helped us, the leaders at the sub-national levels to undertake many projects that have positively affected the lives of our people and ensure long term or sustainable growth.
Governor Eno also commended the State’s Commissioner in the Commission, Barr. Imoh Akpan, for his great work and charged him to do more for the benefit of the State; and urged other members of the Commission to work together as a team and deliver on their mandates.
In his keynote address, the Vice President of Nigeria, Senator Kashim Shettima, represented by the Technical Adviser to the Vice President on Debt Management and Revenue Mobilization, Ibrahim Natagwandu, urged members of the Commission to see their appointments as a call to duty and uphold transparency, fairness and efficiency in the discharge of their constitutional mandates.
Senator Shettima reminded them that they are the custodians of the system that ensures equity among the three tiers of government, and urged them to ensure fiscal balance across the Federation.
In his welcome address, the Chairman of RMAFC, Dr. Mohammed Bello Shehu, commended the Governor for supporting the hosting of the retreat in the State, and charged members of the Commission to approach their responsibilities with a commitment to national interest by upholding diligence, due process, and vision.
The event was attended by experts and stakeholders in the financial sector as well as members of the State Executive Council
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