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RMAFC seeks greater collaboration with EFCC
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Joel Ajayi
The Chairman of Revenue Mobilisation Allocation and Fiscal Commission (RMAFC) Muhammad Bello Shehu has called for greater collaboration with the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC in the areas of revenue leakages and remittance to government and ensure recovery of unremitted/ lost revenues to the appropriate government coffers.
The Chairman made the call when he paid a courtesy visit to the Executive Chairman of the EFCC, Mr. Ola Olukoyede in his office in Abuja. Shehu said,” We are calling on EFCC for more collaboration, not only in the area of enforcement but also intelligence gathering and data sharing with respect to government revenue from any source. “
He further said, “The collaboration with your organisation in the area of enforcement served as an impetus to the success recorded in our recovery exercise. It is therefore important to bring to the fore that the collaboration between RMAFC and EFCC is crucial in addressing the challenges of unremitted revenue to the Federation Account.” Shehu also sought the assistance of the EFCC in respect of capacity building for the staff of RMAFC, especially in the area of forensic investigation.
The Chairman disclosed that his organisation had observed that many Revenue Generating Agencies described as Government Owned Enterprises (GOE) by the office of the Accountant General of the Federation are allowed to generate revenue, spend from it and remit the balance as operating surplus to the Consolidated Revenue Fund (CRF).
This, according to him, is not known to the Constitution as all Agencies are constitutionally mandated to remit the revenues generated in gross to the Federation Account as prescribed in section 162 (1) of the 1999 constitution, as amended, which states that the Federation shall maintain a special account to be called, ” The Federation Account” into which shall be paid all revenues collected by the Government of the Federation, except the proceeds from the personal income tax of the Personnel of the Armed Forces of the Federation, the Nigeria Police Force, the Ministry or Department of Government charged with responsibility for Foreign Affairs and the residents of the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja.
The Chairman recalled the collaboration between RMAFC and EFCC in 2013 when forensic consultants were engaged to recover unremitted and under-remitted revenues collected or deducted from the third party by the banks to the Federation Account covering a period of 2008 to 2015, where N74 billion (Seventy Four Billion Naira) was recovered.
He also disclosed that in 2021, the RMAFC engaged another set of consultants in synergy with EFCC and expanded the scope of recovery to include the Public sector and oil and gas sector for a period covering 2016 to 2019 with the approval of Mr. President. The exercise according to him has so far recovered over N216 Billion (Two hundred and sixteen Billion Naira) to the appropriate government coffers and it is still going on.
M. B. Shehu stated that the Revenue Mobilisation Allocation and Fiscal Commission is one of the fourteen (14) Executive Bodies created by S. 153 (1) (n) of the 1999 Constitution (as amended) to ensure the effective and efficient management of the nation’s revenue.
In his remarks, the Chairman of the EFCC Mr. Ola Olukoyede stressed the need for enhanced collaboration between the two organisations to ensure proper management of government revenue. He emphasized that the country can only move forward when there is transparency and accountability in the conduct of government business.
He urged RMAFC to look into the loopholes in the revenue generation and mobilisation system that allows for leakages and emphasized the need for a stakeholder meeting to address the issue.
The EFCC boss expressed optimism that Nigeria will be better if the right steps are taken. He said, “There are things we have been able to do together within the scopes of our mandate and your mandate as well. Transparency and accountability should be embedded in our public life as a nation. That’s the only way we can move forward.”
He further said, “One of the things the two agencies are supposed to focus on more now besides recoveries is our systems. There is nothing fundamentally wrong with us as Nigerians but with the system that we run here, if you bring in the people that make things work in their own countries to our system here, they would be corrupt. There is an entrenched system here that encourages people to steal, and it would appear as if nothing would happen. Let’s look at our system of revenue generation, the system that allows leakages in mobilisation and appropriation of funds. If we don’t look at the system, we will continue to chase shadows.”
“Let’s get our priorities right. I see no reason why a ministry that has no business with project execution would be awarding contracts. We should look at these areas and scale up our surveillance. In all of these let’s support the President in all his efforts to reposition this country. He relies on you and me and all the people he has put in a position of trust and responsibility.” He added.
News
Pakistan Ambassador To Nigeria Others, Pay Tribute To Martyrs, War Heroes On Defence Day
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Tolu Tosin
The Pakistan diplomats in Nigeria have joined the rest of the diplomatic missions of Pakistan across the globe to observe the annual Defence and Martyrs Day paying tribute to the nation’s heroes including the armed forces and martyrs for their unmatched sacrifices and bravery to safeguard the country.
The day we started with a 31-gun salute in the country’s capital, Islamabad, and a 21-gun salute in provincial capitals, followed by prayers, wreath-laying ceremonies at the tombs of martyrs, and special prayers in mosques for the progress and prosperity of the country.
Pakistan on Friday celebrated its 59th Defense Day anniversary to commemorate the sacrifices of fallen heroes who defended the South Asian country.
For any Pakistanis, the day reflects Pakistan’s strong commitment to the defense of sovereignty as many pay tributes to the brave soldiers who thwarted the enemy’s attempts to harm Pakistan.
Speaking in Abuja at an event organized to commemorate the day, the Pakistan Ambassador to Nigeria, Retired Mag.-Gen, Sohail Khan said that the Martyred soldiers are heroes and their sacrifices and dedication cannot be forgotten.According to him, we are celebrating Defence Day to pay homage to the Armed Forces of Pakistan. I will just narrate certain facts for the information of all of you.
“Pakistan Armed Forces stands as the 5th largest standing Armed Forces in the world.
We have been the largest contributors to the UN peacekeeping operations since the 1960s.
“To protect the motherland from internal and external aggression, members of the Armed forces have sacrificed their lives and embraced martyrdom in the Global War Against Terrorism of which Pakistan has been at the forefront since the very beginning.,
“In terms of officers vs troops causality ratio Pakistan Armed Forces are at the top having lost/offered every other 12 ranks.
“Armed forces have always responded to the call of the nation during national calamities, earthquakes, floods, etc. They have been at the forefront of every nation-building and assistance task.
“Pakistan remains an extremely responsible 7th nuclear state in the world. Well-entrenched command and control systems are also being managed by the Armed Forces of Pakistan.
“This occasion is meant to pay homage to our members of the Armed Forces for their dedication and sacrifices.’
Speaking also at the occasion, was Defence Advisor an Attaché of the Pakistani High Commission in Nigeria, Col. Mushtag Kamran Col. Kamran Mushtaq expressed that, the 6th of September signifies the unflinching resolve, unity, and sense of sacrifice to defend the motherland at all cost.
“It is also to pay homage to those sons of the soil who sacrificed their lives to protect our freedom and sovereignty.
“Their actions continue to resonate urging us to strive for a better tomorrow
“Following the legacy of our Great Heroes in unison with the people of Pakistan we remain ever-ready and fully determined to squarely meet all external challenges to protect our ideological and geographical boundaries.
“Today, we bow our heads in reverence and gratitude for martyrs, who have the freedom that engraved their legacy in the anal of history, reminding us of the freedom that we cherish
“Let’s renew our pledge that following the footsteps of our martyrs, we will leave no stone unturned for the defense of our Motherland and we will always work, towards making Pakistan e great country.” He pledged
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