Gov Bello receives RMAFC delegation, flags off sensitization session on revenue allocation across levels »

Kogi State Governor, Yahaya Bello has described the ongoing efforts aimed at jacking up the existing Allocation Formula amongst the tiers of government as commendable, imperative, and timely.

He spoke through his Deputy, Chief (Dr.) Edward Onoja at the State Banquet Hall on Thursday, having declared open, a parley between a delegation from the Revenue Mobilization and Fiscal Commission (RMAFC) and other relevant stakeholders in the State.

Mr. Samuel Maagbe, Federal Commissioner of the RMAFC (Benue State) had earlier led a delegation to the office of the Deputy Governor for a meeting also attended by the State Commissioner for Finance, Budget, and Planning, Hon. Asiwaju Idris Mukadam.

The Federal Commissioner who remarked that motions are being sorted to formally enlist Kogi as an oil-producing state in its own right said the plenary was in line with ongoing efforts to duly interact with stakeholders across levels on challenges and opportunities of a review structure of the Allocation Formula amongst the Federal, States, and Local Governments.

Declaring the Interactive Session open, Chief Onoja who likened the three tiers of government as pyramidal in structure, said the efforts were laudable, giving that Local Governments, though least, form the crust of the whole structure.

He disclosed that Governor Bello, even with the paucity of funds, has made Kogi a safe haven through the adequate utilization of revenue sources which have been well-invested across the 21 LGAs of the State, accounting for the appreciative successes being recorded in areas of security, education, infrastructure, and employment.

He appreciated the Commission for considering to situate its Directorate Office in Lokoja, Kogi State, promising to convey other requests to his Principal.

Also in attendance were Members representing Idah and Omala State Constituencies, Hon. Suleiman Atajachi and Hon. Musa Collins, respectively. Others were Mr. Ayodeji Adebayo, Director, RMAFC Lokoja Directorate, Mrs. Bolanle Olorunsaye, RMAFC Head Office, amongst others.