Posted by By JAMES OJO, Abuja on
Revenue Mobilisation and Fiscal Allocation Commission (RMFAC), yesterday disclosed that President Umaru Yar'Adua, his deputy, Dr. Jonathan Goodluck and the Chief Justice of Nigeria, Justice Idris Legbo Kutigi have vowed not take their monthly salaries until the new salaries and allowances of public officers is ratified by the National Assembly.
Revenue Mobilisation and Fiscal Allocation Commission (RMFAC), yesterday disclosed that President Umaru Yar'Adua, his deputy, Dr. Jonathan Goodluck and the Chief Justice of Nigeria, Justice Idris Legbo Kutigi have vowed not take their monthly salaries until the new salaries and allowances of public officers is ratified by the National Assembly.
Chairman of the commission, Alhaji Haman Tukur who led a team of his commissioners on a courtesy visit to Speaker, House of Representatives, Hon Dimeji Bankole said it is scandalous that after eight years of democratic government, Nigeria does not have a legally backed revenue allocation formula.
The current revenue allocation formula, he said was a mere memorandum prepared by a minister, adding that it is illegal and unconstitutional.
'Now that you have taken over and peace has returned to the House, please give us a revenue allocation that Nigerians can be proud of.
'This country needs a revenue allocation law, a legally acceptable document. The one we operate today is illegal, null and void. The one we are using is just a circular from a minister. The country cannot run its revenue matters on mere circular. Mr Speaker you are now on seat, please give this country a befitting revenue allocation formula," he pleaded.
Tukur said that he was pleading for speedy passage of the bill on salaries and allowances of certain public officers now before the National Assembly as the president, his deputy and the CJN have vowed not to collect their salaries until the law is passed as they would not want to be accused of collecting illegal salaries and allowances.
Responding, Bankole said it was shocking to learn that the country does not have a legitimate revenue sharing formula, eight years into our democratic governance.
He assured that the House would look at the possibility of enacting a law for a new revenue allocation formular for the nation, adding that the issue of new revenue allocation was more of political issue, which he noted would make the House to thread carefully for the stability of the nation.
'On the other hand, Nigerians must begin to ask their leaders questions on funds allocated to their regions.
'We are going to focus on revenue generating agencies. Some agencies generates N200 billion annually and we applaud whereas this is just about 25% of what they actually can generate or generates," he said.