Lagos State Governor, Mr. Babajide Sanwo-Olu on Monday advocated an upward review to 42 percent of the revenue accruing to states from the Federation Account.
Sanwo-Olu said this would enable the states to cater for their rising responsibilities.
The govenor made the call at a two-day South-West Zonal public hearing on the Review of Allocation formula by the Revenue Mobilization Allocation and Fiscal Commission (RMADC).
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the two-day event, held at Victoria Island, Lagos, had in attendance all the representatives of the South-West states.
Under the current revenue sharing formula, the Federal Government takes 52.68 percent, the states 26.72 percent, and the local governments, 20.60 percent, with 13 percent derivation revenue going to the oil-producing states.
Sanwo-Olu stated that the present revenue sharing formula among the tiers of government which became operational about 29 years ago was long overdue for amendment.
“Nigerian fiscal federalism should be adjusted to develop more expenditure responsibilities with appropriate revenue allocation to lower levels of government.
“So that federal government will focus on matters of national concern like security and defense, among others.
“The Lagos State Government proposed revenue allocation formula: Federal government: 34 percent, State government 42 percent, local government councils: 23 percent and Lagos State (Special Status, 1 percent).
“The solution is to diversify and strengthen the fiscal base of the state government.
“The need to reverse the age-long fiscal dominance by the federal government to re-establish a true federal system is strongly recommended.
“It is the state’s position that state government should be granted the highest share of 42 percent, while the share of the Local government be increased to 23 percent since both tiers of government are closer to the people,” he said.
The governor pointed out that there was a need for effective fiscal laws that would ensure a framework for beneficial and dynamic intergovernmental fiscal relations.
“This will help in nurturing strong, transparent, efficient, and independent fiscal institutions that will also help in nurturing strong transparent, efficient, and independent fiscal institutions.
“This will further ensure accountability and proactively address emerging fiscal challenges in the public sector.
“It is the position of Lagos State Government that State Governments should share 42 percent of revenue accruing to the Federation Account.
“In addition to the existing items on the concurrent legislative list, the Federal and State government should collectively share the following responsibilities:
“Regulation of labour, mines and mineral, social security and statistical system (census, birth, and death, etc).
“Guidelines and basis for minimum education, business registration, price control, national parks, fishing, and fisheries,” he said.
Sanwo-Olu added: “It is the position of Lagos State that state government should take 42 percent from the Federation Account and handle the remaining items other than those specifically listed above.
“It is the position of the Lagos State government that Local Government should take 23 percent and collaborate with the state government in service delivery
“The Derivation and Ecological fund should be decentralized such that each federation unit will have access to its own reserve whenever the needs arise.
“In other words, the 1 percent allocated to the Federal Government in respect of the Derivation and Ecological Fund should be deducted from the Federal Government’s share of Derivation and Ecological Fund will now stand at 1.72 percent.
“The proportion allocated to Stabilization Fund should be increased from 0.5 to 1 percent. This amount should be deducted from the percentage hitherto allocated to special fund on the development of natural resources,” he said.
Sanwo-Olu also said that the Federal Government should take 34 percent from the Federation Account and focus exclusively on defense, external affairs, international trade, currency and banking, exchange control, and federal trunk roads.
“Others are shipping, elections, immigration, citizenship, nuclear energy, diplomatic and trade representatives, the public debt of the federation, telecommunications, insurance, interstate aviation and railways, meteorology, maritime, shipping and navigation,” he said.
The Federal Commissioner, Revenue Mobilization Allocation and Fiscal Commission (RMAFC), Dr. Adekunle Wright, said the two brainstorming sessions on how to ensure equitable distribution of Nigeria’s commonwealth would have positive impacts.
“Lagos as much as we know in per square meter is the smallest in Nigeria, but highest in the number of people per square meter, all of these we are taking into consideration and take on board.
“The revenue that Nigeria generates belongs to Nigerians, the revenue accruable in Nigeria belongs to all, so all of these things have been taking into consideration to ensure fairness.
“We want Nigerians to give us a chance that we are going to do it in a manner that will be fair, equitable, and just,” he said.
Speaking, Commissioner for Finance, Dr. Rabiu Olowo, said the state was proposing the provision for Special Economic Status and a Review of Revenue Allocation in support of the state.
According to him, the federal government must review the revenue allocation formula of Lagos State because of the high rate of the daily influx of population into the state.
“Lagos State is the smallest in the country but accommodates 10 percent of the whole population.
“Due to the daily influx, there is a need for federal support. Also, the state is shouldering so many of the Federal responsibilities.
“Therefore, in line with current realities, it is very important that the federal government review the revenue allocation formula.
He noted that the current revenue allocation formula had not been reviewed in the last 29 years as opposed to the constitution which stated that it should be reviewed every 5 years
He, therefore, expressed appreciation to the Revenue Mobilization and Allocation Fiscal Commission for making it necessary for the discourse on the review to take place.
He said: “There is an aligned position by all stakeholders that the revenue allocation formula should be reviewed in support of the state and local government.
“This is because they are the closest government to the people”.
(NAN)
