Alex Otti, governor of Abia State, has tasked the Revenue Mobilisation Allocation and Fiscal Commission (RMFAC) to monitor revenue allocations given to various states and agencies of government to ensure financial discipline.
Governor Otti stated this at the Government House, Umuahia, when he received in audience a delegation of the Federal Commissioner representing Abia State at the Revenue Mobilisation Allocation and Fiscal Commission.
Otti, who was represented by Caleb Ajagba, his Chief of Staff, stressed the need for the country to come up with a framework that would enable people to monitor what is being given to them.
“The Revenue Mobilisation and Fiscal Commission is one that every Nigerian should be proud of, ensuring that the revenue that accrues to this nation is judiciously allocated. And also, you monitor the disbursement.
“I believe also, you should go ahead and monitor how those funds are used. One thing that has made Abia state stand out is fiscal discipline.
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“We should come up with a framework that will enable people to monitor what is being given to them, whether state, federal, or whatever.
“Because it’s not just knowing the revenue allocated to them, at the end of the day, we should also be accountable. Accountability is one of the issues that will make us stand tall in the comity of states,” Otti stated.
Governor Otti, who noted that his administration understands how to manage money, said that what is being done in Abia today is a result of the financial discipline the government deploys.
“Our government is a government that understands how to manage money. And if you can see what is being done in Abia today, it’s not because Abia receives the highest in terms of allocation, but it has learned financial discipline.
“The government understands the needs of Abia and also knows how to monitor every dime that accrues to this state to make sure that they are judiciously utilised.
“One question that anyone who comes to Abia State will always ask is, Where is Governor Otti getting the money to execute the various projects?
“So, you can see financial discipline. You can see financial prudence in terms of management,” Otti pointed out.
He further said that Abia has demonstrated that they know how to manage resources, noting that before now, Abia workers were not paid but within two years in office, his administration cleared all the salary arrears, fixed many roads including the “dreaded” Port Harcourt Road Aba, retrofitted hospitals, and renovated schools.
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Governor Otti congratulated Nkechi Oti on her appointment as the Federal Commissioner representing Abia State at the RMFAC and urged her to represent the state well.
Oti, the Federal Commissioner representing Abia State at the Revenue Mobilisation Allocation and Fiscal Commission, said that she was in the state for a familiarisation visit, having been appointed into office a few months ago.
She also said that she would hold a familiarisation talk with all the stakeholders who have to do with Revenue Mobilisation, Allocation and Fiscal Commission in the state.
The Federal Commissioner, who stated that she was proud that Governor Otti is making judicious use of the federal allocation funds in the state, assured him of her readiness to work as a team with the state government.
Uwaoma Ukandu, commissioner for Finance, and other government functionaries were present during the visit.
