Governor Nasir Idris of Kebbi has called for a review of the federal allocation sharing formula to meet citizens’ democratic needs.
Mr Idris, in an interview on Friday in Abuja, said the revenue-sharing formula was lopsided in favour of the federal government to the detriment of the states.
He said the three arms of government have responsibilities to the people that elected them, adding that one arm should not, therefore, take a proportion that is of disadvantage to the rest.
“A situation where the federal government takes 55 per cent of the total revenue share was, to say the least, unfair. We must look at the formula to meet our campaign promises to our citizens,” said Mr Idris, who stated that the state and local governments were closer to citizens.
Revenue among the three arms of government is shared per the vertical formula, as determined by the Revenue Mobilisation Allocation and Fiscal Commission and approved by the National Assembly.
The formula allocates 52.68 per cent, 26.72 per cent and 20.60 per cent to the federal, state and local governments, respectively.
“Our revenues should be shared in such a way that state and local governments, which often interact directly with the Nigerian people, collect a higher percentage to meet their yearnings and aspirations,” the governor said.
On the proposed state police, Mr Idris said he was not against it but urged caution in embracing an idea without a deep analysis of its application and sustainability.
“When I looked at this issue, what came to my mind was to first increase the number of these security agents. Their number is very inadequate for Nigeria’s population of over 200 million.
He said that states’ financial capacity should be examined upon increasing the number of security officers.
He added, “The states that can purchase equipment, take care of personnel welfare, and meet other logistical demands.”
Some state governments have started establishing community security outfits, especially in the troubled northern parts of the country.
“If we have a state police force, even funding alone will be difficult for the state governments. For instance, how much is an armoured personnel carrier now? If you buy one for N300 million, how much do you need to cover the state effectively?
“How many do you need to secure big towns and big local governments? Can you sustain the funding as a state? How effective will your funding be? What about personnel? How effectively can you manage them,” the governor said.
(NAN)
