Abuja:<Text>
Dr Mohammed Shehu, Chairman of the Revenue Mobilisation Allocation and Fiscal Commission (RMAFC), has announced that a nationwide data verification exercise conducted by the commission will bolster and sustain the revenue allocation framework. Shehu made this disclosure during a news briefing in Abuja, detailing the significance and objectives of the nationwide initiative.
According to News Agency of Nigeria, the exercise, which has already begun across various states, aims to reassess the factors and proxies utilized in the distribution of revenue among states and local governments. The primary goal is to ensure that the allocation of national resources accurately mirrors the current socio-economic realities throughout the country.
Shehu described the initiative as a pivotal step for fiscal federalism and national development planning. He emphasized that credible and verified data are foundational to a fair and sustainable revenue allocation sys
tem. The outcomes of this exercise are expected to influence national planning, fiscal management, and balanced regional development.
The chairman noted that the exercise is both a statutory obligation and a strategic measure to enhance institutional credibility and support evidence-based policymaking. It will encompass all states, including the Federal Capital Territory, through a region-by-region verification process. This will involve systematic collection, validation, and reconciliation of essential socio-economic and infrastructural data.
Shehu highlighted key focus areas, including education, health services, revenue generation capacity, and infrastructure across states and local governments. He stressed the necessity of periodically reviewing revenue allocation indices, such as population and landmass, to match changing realities.
The exercise is particularly critical as Nigeria experiences socio-economic changes, including population growth and urb
anization, which necessitate the validation of existing datasets. The ongoing review of the revenue allocation formula has reached an advanced stage, further underscoring the importance of this verification exercise.
Verification teams will collaborate with ministries, agencies, and community stakeholders to ensure that the data collected reflects current conditions. The commission is dedicated to making sure that the framework aligns with realities, promoting fairness, equity, and national cohesion.
Dr Shehu appealed to state governments, local authorities, traditional institutions, civil society groups, and other relevant stakeholders to support the verification teams in their efforts.
<P/></Text>