By VIVIAN EMONI

Dr Mohammed Shehu, Chairman, Revenue Mobilisation Allocation and Fiscal Commission (RMAFC), says the commission has completed reviews of the revenue allocation formula and remuneration for political, public and judicial office holders.

This is contained in a statement by Hajia Maryam Yusuf, Head, Information and Public Relations Unit of the commission, on Saturday in Abuja.

Shehu said the proposals on revenue allocation and remuneration reforms have reached advanced stages for consideration by relevant authorities.

While presenting an overview of the commission’s achievements and institutional progress from 2023 to date, he noted that the period had witnessed significant fiscal reforms, with RMAFC strengthening its constitutional mandates.

“This mandate is on revenue monitoring, derivation verification and fiscal coordination.

“The commission has improved data integrity, enhanced inter-agency collaboration and promoted equitable distribution of national revenue among the three tiers of government.”

Shehu said that the commission had also intensified monitoring of oil and gas production data to ensure accurate application of the 13 per cent derivation principle.

According to him, verification exercises, geospatial mapping and inter-agency collaboration had resolved several long-standing oil well attribution issues.

“Also, 17 oil wells were reallocated from Imo to Rivers in compliance with a Supreme Court judgment.

“Similar interventions had been undertaken in Cross River, Akwa Ibom, Imo and Anambra states.

“The improved gas production reporting had enabled Enugu and Kogi states to benefit from derivation revenues,” he said.

Shehu noted that the RMAFC had strengthened collaboration with Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission (NUPRC),

Nigerian National Petroleum Company Ltd. (NNPCL).

It is also collaborating with the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA).

“The RMAFC has also strengthened collaboration with the National Boundary Commission (NBC) and the Office of the Surveyor-General.

“The RMAFC is engaging with the Ministry of Defence to address crude oil theft, pipeline vandalism and production losses,” he said.

Beyond petroleum, Shehu said RMAFC was exploring new revenue opportunities through partnerships with the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) and the National Space Research and Development Agency (NASRDA).

He said the partnerships included using satellite and geospatial technologies to identify additional revenue sources.

Shehu confirmed that the commission had completed the review of remuneration for judicial office holders, culminating in the Judicial Office Holders salaries and allowances, Act, 2025.

He said the review of remuneration for executive and legislative office holders was also at an advanced stage.

According to him, an executive bill on the Political and Public Office Holders (Salaries and Allowances) Act, 2026, is expected to be transmitted to the National Assembly.

“The remuneration reforms must be matched with accountability and performance. Improved pay should translate into improved service delivery,” he said.

On the revenue allocation formula, Shehu described the review as one of the commission’s most significant assignments.

He said the review involved extensive consultations with all tiers of government, technical stakeholders and Nigerians nationwide.

Shehu said the exercise considered fiscal responsibilities, revenue trends and comparative federal systems, adding that the process produced a harmonised report and legislative proposals ready for transmission to the appropriate authorities.

“The objective is to establish a more equitable and sustainable revenue-sharing framework reflecting current economic and governance realities.”

The chairman also highlighted improvements in RMAFC’s infrastructure, including rehabilitation of critical facilities, enhanced security systems and ongoing renovation of its headquarters.

He said staff welfare had been prioritised through improved healthcare services, training and capacity development initiatives, adding that the initiatives were designed to strengthen technical expertise within the commission.

Shehu said the engagement with the Nigerian Guild of Editors (NGE) was part of efforts to deepen transparency and improve public understanding of the RMAFC’s mandate.

He reaffirmed the commission’s commitment to proactive communication, data-driven reforms and stronger collaboration with the media, noting that such collaboration was essential to promoting accountability in public finance.

Mr Ismail Agaka, Chairman, Public Affairs and Communication Committee (PACC) of RMAFC, commended the media for strengthening democratic accountability, while reaffirming the commission’s commitment to sustained engagement with stakeholders. (NAN)

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