NEWS
How RMAFC Recovered Over N500bn For FG
It has come to light that the Revenue Mobilisation Allocation and Fiscal Commission (RMAFC) recovered in excess of N500 billion for the Federal Government from corporates, including some government-owned institutions.
Chairman, RMAFC, Mohammed Bello, made the disclosure in Abuja, on Wednesday at an interactive session with the House of Representatives Committee on Finance, chaired by Hon James Faleke.
According to Bello, the Commission engaged forensic experts through whom it recovered the sum of N14bn between 2008 and 2012.
Between 2012 and 2015, he explained that the Commission recovered the sum of N60.981bn for the FG.
The scoop, however, was made between 2016 and 2019, with the recovery of over N312bn, though the payment was made in the 2022 fiscal year.
Bello also disclosed that the RMAFC recovered the sum of N98bn in September 2023 from the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL), which has been fully remitted to the national coffers.
The Commission, Bello, explained, also recovered the sum of N79.102bn from Federal and eight State Ministries, Departments and Agencies in 2023.
These, he disclosed has encouraged the Commission to expand its operations to 17 more states of the Federation in a bid to recover more revenue for the FG.
The Committee also heard him declare that the Commission recovered the sum of N474 million and N199 million excise duties from two companies operating in the South West region from 2020 to 2022.
Bello pointed out that before 2011, revenues accruing from royalties and solid minerals were remitted into the Consolidated Revenue Fund.
The RMAFC boss informed the Committee that it took the it took painstaking efforts from the Commission to create the solid mineral component of the Federation Account, in November 2011.
That consequently led to the approval of a 13 percent derivative fund for States and Local Government Areas, now being apportioned according to the formula adopted.
The efforts of the Commission, also led to the approval of a 10 percent monthly payment from the Natural Resources Development Fund (NRDF), of which 1.68 percent is deducted and kept aside.
He informed the Committee that the Muhammadu Buhari administration approved the sum of N30bn for the NRDF, which is dedicated to the growth of the sector.
Hon Faleke decried the several loopholes through which the FG has been losing money and expressed a desire that the salary burden of all RMAFC Commissioners be borne by the Federation Account.
He charged Bello to revert to the Committee with concrete reports, evidencing which government agencies were culpable, though he didn’t foresee the possibility of real recovery.
He said, “As far as this committee is concerned, all those things you read out are no news. All those figures you read out are mere figures. You have no data or whatsoever to support it.”
Consequently, he directed the RMAFC chairman to provide a comprehensive report of all the agencies from which the unremitted revenues were recovered.
“If you say in 2008 and 2012, you recovered N14 billion, from where? Which agency paid? We need a comprehensive list.
“For you to get back to an agency and say you owe us $10 or N10 million, where will they get the money to pay back? When you accuse them, it means they have spent that money. So, for them to pay back, they also use government money to pay you back.
“You will give details of these recoveries, the N16.9 billion, your N312 billion, among others. We need more details.”
The entire 10 communities of the old Ohaozara Local Government Area, known as Ohanivo, of Ebonyi State have been reverberating with joy, because their illustrious son, the Minister of Works, HE Sen. Engr (Dr) Nweze David Umahi emerged Silverbird’s Most Outstanding Honourable Minister of the Year.
Biztellers reports that Ohanivo is made up of three LGAs, including, Ohaozara, Onicha and Ivo, while the 10 autonomous communities are Uburu, Okposi, Aka Eze, Ishiagu, Isu, Onicha, Ugwulangwu, Ukawu, Abaomege, and Oshiri.
Feelers from the organisers of the glamourous awards, Silverbird Group, assure that plans have been fine-tuned for the annual event, billed for the Eko Hotel and Suites, Victoria Island, Lagos on Sunday.
There are indications that a strong team of community leaders including Chief Kenneth Eze, Uche Umezurike, Okoro Enekwachi, Francis Ekwe, Emma Nwaze, among others would be on ground to cheer the distinguished minister of works as he receives his well-deserved award.
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In a related development, the Member, House of Representatives, representing Ohaozara/Onicha/Ivo Federal Constituency, Hon. (Dr.) Kama Nkemkanma, has sent his congratulatory message to Sen Umahi.
Hon Nkemkanma’s message reads, “It is with deep pleasure that I convey the profound felicitations of my family and good people of Ohaozara/Onicha/Ivo Federal Constituency to our dear leader and achiever, His Excellency, Sen. Engr (Dr) Nweze David Umahi CON, FNSE, FNATE, GGCEHF, Honourable Minister of Works on his emergence as the Silverbird Most Outstanding Honourable Minister of the Year. Whom the cap fits, let him wear.
“Your Excellency, the initiative of this administration to construct the Renewed Hope four (4) legacy projects and the will power to continue the funding and construction of the inherited on-going projects across the six (6) Geo-political Zones are eloquent testimonies of the commitment of Mr President in unlocking the potentials of every segment of our country and building a regenerative economy for sustainable future. We are proud that you have unmitigated signature in this memory. May God continue to give you the flourishing grace and enablement to always be on top in your endeavours.
“Please accept the assurances of the prayers, solidarity, and esteemed regards of my constituents, always. Once more congratulations.”
The Kano State Government has addressed widespread misinterpretations surrounding the recent Court of Appeal judgment on the ongoing emirship dispute, urging the public to rely on accurate legal information.
In a statement issued on Saturday, Governor Abba Yusuf’s spokesman, Sunusi Dawakin-Tofa, clarified the ruling and the government’s position.
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Speaking at a press briefing at the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) Secretariat in Kano, the state’s Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, Haruna Dederi, explained that the Court of Appeal’s verdict, delivered on January 10, 2025, upheld the repeal of the Kano Emirate Council Law, 2019, effectively overturning the previous judgment of the Federal High Court, Kano.
However, Dederi noted that Alhaji Aminu Dan’agundi, who was dissatisfied with the ruling, has since filed an appeal at the Supreme Court.
He further stressed that the Appeal Court’s judgment remains binding until the Supreme Court rules otherwise.
Addressing concerns over the stay of execution recently granted by the Court of Appeal, the Attorney General described it as a standard legal procedure intended to maintain the status quo pending the Supreme Court’s final decision.
“The Kano State Government urges the public to remain calm, law-abiding, and avoid any form of provocation,” the statement read.
The government has also directed its legal team to thoroughly review the proceedings and determine the next steps in accordance with the law.
On behalf of the governor, Dederi expressed appreciation to the people of Kano for their patience, understanding, and continuous prayers for peace and progress in the state and the nation.
The emirship dispute has been a topic of intense debate in Kano, with various legal and political implications.
Tensions are rising in Rivers State as the Niger Delta Youth Council (NDYC) has issued a seven-day ultimatum to President Bola Tinubu, threatening to halt oil production in response to the ongoing political crisis in the state.
In a statement signed by its president, Bene Youkore Mamamu, and made available to journalists in Warri on Saturday, the group listed three key demands: the restoration of Rivers State’s statutory revenue allocation, an end to alleged impeachment moves against Governor Similaye Fubara, and a public retraction of reported anti-Ijaw remarks attributed to former Governor and current FCT Minister, Nyesom Wike.
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The youth group warned of dire economic consequences if their demands were ignored.
“We are ready to shock the world in seven days. The oil that fuels this nation flows from our land, the fourth largest and most populated ethnic group in Nigeria. We will not allow Wike, who we suspect is being used by the Presidency, to sabotage our region and undermine Ijaw history,” the statement read.
The NDYC accused Wike of attempting to manipulate the political landscape of Rivers State and marginalize the Ijaw ethnic group, citing his reported comments describing the Ijaws as a “minority within a minority.”
The group labeled the remarks as “provocative, inflammatory, and a declaration of economic and political war.”
Further criticizing the Federal Government, the NDYC alleged that President Tinubu’s administration was enabling Wike’s interference in Rivers politics.
“We are angry that Tinubu’s government has empowered Wike and the Judiciary to undermine Ijaws and the Niger Delta region, with regular threats to impeach Governor Fubara, seize the state’s allocation, insult late Pa Edwin Clark, and rewrite the history of the Ijaw nation,” the letter continued.
With the deadline fast approaching, the NDYC has called on its members to prepare for action, warning that oil production across the region could be disrupted if their demands are not met.
The potential shutdown poses a serious threat to Nigeria’s economy, given that the Niger Delta remains the country’s primary source of crude oil revenue. A disruption could exacerbate economic challenges, including foreign exchange shortages and rising inflation.
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