From Desmond Mgbo, Kano And Isaac Anumihe, Abuja
The Federal Government has said it would continue to ensure discipline and accountability in the spending of public funds.
In a remark at a two-day retreat on Revenue Generation in Kano yesterday, Minister of Finance, Mrs. Kemi Adeosun, said the purpose for organising the retreat was to facilitate increased revenue generation to states and the Federal Government.
According to Adeosun, the measure became necessary to ensure efficient utilisation of public funds for provision of the much needed infrastructure in the country, saying that the government was committed to identifying all sources of revenue in view of the dwindling oil receipts.
The Minister said the country could not continue to operate as medieval economy in view of the daunting economic challenges bedevilling the country.
“Oil must be downplayed in the economy of Nigeria and must also be downplayed in the revenue of Nigeria. Nigeria must look inward to improve its revenue base. We must give suggestions on the way forward in the interest of the country,” she said.
The Minister also expressed the determination of the Federal Government to work with the private sector where necessary to maximise the nation’s revenue potential.
She said the days when revenue generating agencies acted as autonomous entities outside of the budget cannot be allowed to continue, saying whether the funds are from fees and fines, from taxes or from projects, the law is clear that every naira must be paid into the Consolidated Revenue Fund.
“The administration has started the process of maximising our revenues with a number of initiatives. The most important change introduced is a reorientation in the thinking about public money. Discipline and accountability in the spending of public money is a trademark of the President Buhari-led administration. Making every naira count is a commitment and a policy focus and not a slogan. Citizens will not willingly pay revenues if the funds are seen to be leaking or being wasted.
“All spending must start with revenue and therefore we have commenced the work of plugging the leakages of government revenues. Such leakages can arise from a number of factors including inefficient collection systems, evasion of payments due, collusion and other malpractices, as well as obsolete tariffs.
“The first step required is the preparation of a detailed revenue map, which identifies the specific lines of revenue and understands how such revenues are generated. The triggers in our various processes that result in a revenue transaction must be clearly understood and well documented.
“To maximise revenue collection, the task of plugging these leakages must be undertaken. It is also important to understand the costs of collection. That is the essential equipment, technology and resources that are required to support revenue.
The administration is committed to ensuring budgetary provision for these costs.
We currently hold daily bilateral revenue meetings with revenue generating agencies to define targets and agree strategies,” the Minister stated.
She disclosed that the Federal Government has commenced the review of the cost profiles of revenue generating agencies to ensure that maximum operating surpluses are declared and remitted in compliance with the Fiscal Responsibility Act.
Also speaking, the state Governor, Dr. Abdullahi Ganduje, said the state government had taken measures aimed at improving the revenue base of the state.
The governor maintained that part of the measures taken to improve the revenue include the restructuring of the state internal revenue board with a view to ensuring optimum performance.
Director, Special Projects and Retreat Coordinator, Mohammed Dikwa, said the retreat was necessary because it will address the challenges in revenue generation in the country following the drastic fall in oil price.
AHECPP Centre to gulp N150m
By Charles Nwaoguji
Akpan Hogan Ekpo Centre for Public Policy (AHECPP) will gulp well over N150 million to build, the Project Committee Chairman, Dr. Effiong Inyang, has said.
Inyang, who stated this at the fund raising and first public lecture on the honour of Prof. Akpan Hogan Ekpo, held recently in Akwa Ibom State, said the centre is not common in this part of Nigeria hence its establishment would be beneficial to the university community and the country. He stated that the centre was built by the former students, friends and colleagues of Prof. Ekpo to honour him while he is still alive for his contributions toward the development of University of Uyo, while he was Vice Chancellor of the university.
He stated that when the centre is completed, it would organise short-term courses for the training of senior counterparts in various areas of public policy.
In addition, he said the centre would organise roundtable discussions on topical and relevant issues to contribute not only to public discourse but also to influence government policy in Nigeria, Africa and globally.
He said the centre would be funded mainly from two sources, namely, fees from courses and grants from a diversified group of donors.
According to him, the family, former students and friends of Prof. Ekpo would provide the initial seed money. At the end of any financial year, 20 per cent of any surplus would be credited to the University of Uyo while 80 per cent would be used in running the centre.
Speaking at the event, the Governor of Akwa Ibom State, Mr. Udom Emmanuel, said the centre is a welcome development as the centre would upscale the skills and knowledge required in relevant areas of public policy.
He stated that the Akwa Ibom government would support the centre to achieve its objectives, adding that the government was ready to support the centre to be completed.
“We will support this noble course. Prof. Ekpo is a world-class economist whom the state is proud of. Ever since I knew the professor, he has proved himself to be the best the state has ever produced,” he added.
Responding, the honoree, Prof. Ekpo, said he felt very happy to be honoured while still alive, which does not often happen to most people while they are alive.
Ekpo, who is currently the Director General of West African Institute for Financial and Economic Management (WAIFEM), noted that he will do what he can to ensure the timely completion of the centre.
He stated that the centre would be proactive in ensuring that public servants in the country are exposed to the current state-of-the-art in terms of public policy theory and practice.
He called well-meaning individuals and private sectors to support the completion of the centre, saying this would not only bring economic development to Akwa Ibom but the entire country.