From Isaac Anumihe, Abuja
The Federal Government has created a new platform to serve as an independent data source for the Revenue Mobilisation Allocation and Fiscal Commission (RMAFC).
Speaking at a sensitisation exercise on the implementation of a new solid mineral data rendition template in Abuja, Chairman of the RMAFC, Dr Mohammed Bello Shehu, represented by the Federal Commissioner for Niger State, Honourable Ibrahim Shettima, said that the step is aimed at bridging existing gaps in the timely and accurate reporting of solid mineral revenue on a state-by-state basis.
The new platform is designed to provide data free of discrepancies, which can be used for comparison and attribution purposes by all stakeholders.
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“It is imperative that the perceived discrepancies in the figures submitted by state governments and the Ministry of Solid Minerals Development as revenue from the solid mineral sector into the federation account be addressed through the use of a uniform solid minerals data rendition template,” he said.
He elaborated on the specific details the new template will require, which include: “the scale of measurement used to report quantity, actual location of production asides state, the company mining the mineral and rate being sold per unit of measurement.”
The chairman made it clear that the process is intended to improve revenue monitoring, aligning with the RMAFC’s constitutional mandate.
“This process is aimed at enhancing effective revenue monitoring. As you are aware, the RMAFC is empowered by paragraph 32 (a) of Part 1 to the Third Schedule of the 1999 Constitution… to among other things ‘monitor accruals to and disbursement of revenue from the Federation Account,’” he noted.
Shehu added that it is the commission’s responsibility “to look into areas of potentials, lapses or discrepancies in revenue remittances into the federation account from all economic sectors for the purpose of advising the three tiers of government on appropriate ways to enhance their revenue.”
The sensitisation exercise will involve all six geo-political zones of the country to facilitate collaboration and shared learning.
The sessions, according to him, will allow the six geo-political zones of the country to engage in sharing best practices and opinions in terms of said mineral data rendition and forging partnerships that will undoubtedly contribute to the overall progress and development of the solid minerals sector and indeed Nigeria,” Shehu said.
He urged all participants to engage actively with the new process: “I urge all participants to actively leverage the experts and perspectives in the discourse. Let this be an occasion for constructive dialogue, meaningful networking, and a shared commitment to transforming our nation for the benefit of all Nigerians,” Shehu emphasised.
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