‘Why FG Set Up Revenue Mobilisation Data Collection Platform’

The Nigerian federal government has explained its decision to launch an independent data platform for the Revenue Mobilisation Allocation and Fiscal Commission (RMAFC).

The reason was proffered by the Chairman of RMAFC, Dr. Mohammed Bello Shehu in Abuja during a one-day sensitisation exercise on the implementation of a new solid minerals data rendition template for effective revenue monitoring,

The chairman who was represented by the Federal Commissioner representing Niger State, Hon. Ibrahim Shettima, said the platform aims to eliminate discrepancies in figures submitted by stakeholders in the sector.

This he explained, included government agencies and operators in the solid minerals sector.

Shehu said the new revenue mobilisation and collection system would serve as a reliable, data source for verification, comparison and attribution of revenues generated from the solid minerals sector into the Federation Account.

“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 minerals sector into the Federation Account be addressed through the use of a uniform solid minerals data rendition template”, he stated.

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He said the platform would be discrepancy-free, and would help to specify the scale of measurement used to report quantity.

Other details it would help to capture, include the actual location of production aside from the state, the company mining the mineral, and the rate at which it is sold per unit of measurement.

“This approach will improve accuracy and efficiency in the monitoring of revenues from the solid minerals sector,” he added.

“The Revenue Mobilisation Allocation and Fiscal Commission is empowered by paragraph 32(a) of Part I to the Third Schedule of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (as amended) to, among other things, monitor accruals to and disbursement of revenue from the Federation Account.”

He further stated that the Commission is responsible for identifying potential revenue sources, as well as lapses or discrepancies in remittances from all economic sectors.

“It is therefore the Commission’s duty to examine areas of potential, lapses, or discrepancies in revenue remittances into the Federation Account from all economic sectors, with the aim of advising the three tiers of government on appropriate ways to enhance their revenue,” he said.