By VIVIAN EMONI

The Revenue Mobilization Allocation and Fiscal Commission (RMAFC) and Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS) have inaugurated a firm, Engaged Consultants for Revenue Recovery Exercise (ECRRE) to boost the Federal Account.

Dr. Mohammed Shehu, Chairman of the RMAFC, in collaboration with the FIRS, at the inauguration ceremony, on Monday in Abuja, said that the partnership was in line with the determination to strengthen Nigeria’s fiscal governance.

Shehu said that the effort was to ensure that all revenues due to the Federation were fully accounted for and remitted into the Federation Account.

“This exercise is not a routine administrative action, but a deliberate, result-oriented innovation designed to strengthen fiscal governance and ensure every recoverable naira due to the federation is transparently remitted.”

He said that the engagement of the consultant was a strategic initiative aimed at plugging revenue leakages, enhancing transparency, and boosting the fiscal capacity of the three tiers of government.

He said that effort was in alignment with the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Bola Tinubu.

According to him, in line with the constitutional responsibility of the commission, with the full support of Mr. President and the FIRS, this initiative for spatial recovery projects to identify and recover non-remitted revenues across sectors of the economy, are brought into light.”

Dr. Zacch Adedeji, Chairman, FIRS, commended the RMAFC chairman for his proactive leadership and reaffirmed the FIRS’s commitment to its effective collaboration with the commission.

Adedeji said that the commitment was to realize the objectives and the importance of the recovery programme.

“Nigeria has a huge revenue gap, but with stronger collaboration between agencies and partners, we can bridge that gap and achieve sustainable fiscal growth.”

The FIRS chairman was represented by the Coordinating Director of the FIRS, Mr. Shettima Tamadi.

Speaking, Mr. Joseph Okechukwu, Secretary to the Commission, appreciated all stakeholders for their support and urged the consultants to work diligently to complete the assignment within the stipulated six-month timeframe.

Okechukwu emphasized that the consultants must ensure that all identified recoverable revenues were promptly returned to the Federation Account to support national development priorities.

Mr. Temitayo Ojeleke, who spoke on behalf of the consultants, described the engagement as a national call to duty and assured the commission and FIRS of their commitments to professionalism, transparency and measurable results.

“We accept this assignment as partners in Nigeria’s economic renewal, ready to deliver results that will strengthen the nation’s revenue base.

“The inauguration marks a significant milestone in RMAFC’s ongoing efforts to enhance inter-agency collaboration, improve accountability, and maximize revenue generation for the collective benefit of the federation,” he said. (NAN)