The Rivers State Government has assured delegates of the Revenue Mobilisation Allocation and Fiscal Commission (RMAFC) of its full support in ensuring a seamless and successful data verification exercise across the state.
The Commissioner for Finance, Hon. Kenneth Lekue, gave the assurance while welcoming the RMAFC delegation to Rivers State for the national data verification exercise aimed at updating information available to the Commission.
Hon. Lekue noted that the state government, under the leadership of Governor Sir Siminalayi Fubara, recognizes the significance of the exercise, particularly its impact on revenue allocation to the state.
He stated that all necessary measures have been put in place to enable the team obtain accurate and firsthand information for effective data collection and verification.
He further informed the delegates that Rivers State remains peaceful and secure, encouraging them to carry out their assignment diligently, move around freely, and seek assistance whenever necessary.
Speaking at the event, the Rivers State Commissioner in the RMAFC, Amb. Desmond Akawor, described the verification exercise as a critical national assignment that provides stakeholders the opportunity to review existing records, update relevant figures, and validate information previously submitted to the Commission, including data dating back to 2003 and subsequent verification exercises.
He commended the Rivers State Government for the support and logistics provided for the exercise and assured participants of their safety throughout their engagements in the various local government areas.
Explaining the purpose of the exercise, the Team Lead of he visiting delegation, Hon. Sa’ad Bello Ibrahim, said the delegation was in the state to verify data submitted to the Commission’s portal from 2022 to date.
He urged delegates and participants to ensure that all data collected are accurate, reliable, verifiable, and free from discrepancies, stressing that the information gathered would play a crucial role in determining revenue allocation to the state.
Hon. Ibrahim further emphasized that any incorrect data captured during the exercise could only be amended after five years, when the next verification exercise would be conducted in accordance with constitutional provisions.
Also speaking, the Chairman of Obio/Akpor Local Government Area, Dr. Gift Worlu, who represented the Chairman of the Rivers State Chapter of the Association of Local Government Chairmen of Nigeria (ALGON) and Mayor of Port Harcourt City, Sir Allwell Ihunda, stated the commitment of the local government councils to the success of the exercise.
He appealed to officials of the various local government areas to provide the verification team with all necessary information and maximum cooperation.
He also advised the team to seek clarification wherever necessary to ensure the accuracy of the data collected.
The RMAFC delegation is undertaking a five-day data verification exercise in Rivers State. The outcome of the exercise will contribute significantly to the determination of revenue allocation to the state.
Participants in the exercise include Heads of Departments from various Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs), as well as representatives of local government councils across the state.
The team is also expected to visit selected local government areas during the exercise.
- Matthew is the Information/Public Relations Officer, Ministry of Finance.