States, LGs Should Take 59% Of Federal Allocation – North-West

The North-West geopolitical zone of the country has demanded the lion’s share of the federation allocation for states and local governments.

The zone said the two arms of the government should take 60 per cent while 40 per cent should go to the Federal Government.

The North-West states made the demand in their respective presentations at the zonal public hearing on the review of the current revenue allocation formula, which held in Kaduna on Monday.

According to them, the second tier of government is also saddled with the responsibility of funding security, which remains the sole responsibility of the Federal Government.

The Secretary to the Kano State Government, Alhaji Usman Alhaji, while presenting the position of the state, said, “The Federal Government should take 41 per cent; states, 34 per cent; LGAs, 24 per cent, and we need an independent one per cent for Kano State because it is a mini Nigeria.”

Kaduna State Governor, Mallam Nasir El-Rufai, who was represented by his Deputy, Dr Hadiza Balarabe, said, “The Federal Government retains the largest chunk of federation resources. It does too much but is too stretched and so does little well. Yet, the things that really matter to citizens are state and local government functions.

“Therefore, the argument for a significant review, in favour of states, of the vertical revenue allocation formula is compelling. The Federal Government has to consolidate its focus around security, foreign affairs and monetary and fiscal policy.”

In his open remarks, the Chairman, Revenue Mobilisation, Allocation and Fiscal Commission, Elias Mbam, gave reasons why revenue allocation had not be reviewed for 29 years, contrary to constitutional provisions of a review every five year.