Ekiti State Governor, Mr. Biodun Oyebanji, has solicited the support of the Revenue Mobilization Allocation and Fiscal Commission (RMAFC) for the sustainable development of the state by addressing the revenue accruable to the state from the Federation Account.
Governor Oyebanji made the call in Ado-Ekiti on Monday when he received a team from the commission led by one of its Federal Commissioners, Hon. Wumi Ogunlola. He said that while previous efforts by the commission had yet to yield positive results for the state, he remained hopeful that the current efforts would give Ekiti a better deal, enabling the state to move up the revenue ladder.
While acknowledging the various efforts of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to ensure that subnational governments are in a better financial position in their states, Governor Oyebanji commended the President for the bold steps he has taken to rejig the economy, as well as being intentional in creating breathing space for states to perform effectively and efficiently.
The Governor also assured the commission that his administration would continue to support it because of the importance and strategic position of RMAFC in the drive to achieve its desired success.
He implored the team to visit some ongoing projects to fully appreciate the shared prosperity agenda and support the vision of his administration.
“We have a President now who is intentional and who also wants the subnationals to breathe, and based on that, we are going to give every necessary support to you. That is why I’ve invited ministries that have one or two things to do with you, and we hope that this will be a new beginning in the relationship between the state and RMAFC. I have absolute confidence in your ability to do what is right.
“Please go out and see what we have done, and you will see the reason why we need help. When you look at the revenue ladder, you will see that either we are last or second to the last. But that is not even the problem. We just want to be treated fairly, and we want to be treated as part of the subnationals because we contribute our quota to the development of the country,” he stated.
Speaking earlier, the leader of the team, Hon. Wumi Ogunlola, said RMAFC members were in the state to validate the integrity and accuracy of the data that would ultimately inform the distribution of revenue across the Federation. She added that the revenue allocation system was built on a set of indices designed to ensure fairness, equity, and justice in the sharing of national resources, as well as reflect evolving socio-economic realities where population dynamics change, infrastructure expands, developmental gaps shift, and new challenges emerge.
Hon. Ogunlola said the team would collaborate with state ministries, departments, and agencies to ensure accurate and credible data verification and collection that reflect on-the-ground realities. She also sought the state government’s assistance and cooperation in providing access to relevant data and records; designating competent liaison officers to work with the team; facilitating access to Local Government Areas; and ensuring a conducive environment for the exercise.
While asserting that the outcome of the exercise would have significant implications for the Federation as a whole and for Ekiti State in particular, Ogunlola used the opportunity to assure the government of the commission’s commitment to professionalism, transparency, and objectivity throughout the exercise. She added that members of the team had been carefully selected and trained to carry out the assignment with the highest level of integrity, in line with national and international best practices.
The meeting was also attended by the Secretary to the State Government, Prof. Habibat Adubiaro; Chief of Staff, Mr. Niyi Adebayo; Commissioners for Health and Human Services, Dr. Oyebanji Filani; Education, Dr. Bimpe Aderiye; Local Government Affairs, Chief Folorunso Olabode; Executive Chairman of the Ekiti State Internal Revenue Service, Mr. Olaniran Olatona; and Special Adviser on Media, Mr. Yinka Oyebode.