By Our Reporter
Cross River State Governor, Senator Prince Bassey Otu, has called for a comprehensive review of the nation’s revenue allocation formula to reflect current realities and address what he described as a long-standing injustice against the state.
Speaking through his Deputy, Rt. Hon. Peter Odey, while receiving a delegation from the Revenue Mobilisation Allocation and Fiscal Commission (RMAFC) at the Government House, Calabar, on Friday, the Governor urged the Commission to ensure that its ongoing review exercise translates into a more equitable allocation framework for Cross River State.
Odey noted that the current allocation accruing to the state from the Federation Account is inadequate to meet its growing developmental needs despite the administration’s commitment to governance and infrastructure development. He observed that Cross River remains among the lowest recipients of federal allocations in the country, a situation he said does not reflect current realities.
Expressing optimism about the exercise, Rt. Hon. Peter Odey said the Commission’s visit presents a unique opportunity to reposition Cross River State within the national revenue-sharing structure. He noted that since the last major review of the allocation formula in 2012, significant demographic and economic changes have occurred, including population growth, an expanding workforce, and increased demands for infrastructural and social services.
According to him, these realities, coupled with the adverse impact of the loss of oil wells on the state’s revenue base, underscore the need for a comprehensive reassessment of the state’s allocation profile to better support its development aspirations, which aligns with the People First mantra of the Governor.
Appealing to the Commission to use the ongoing exercise to address what he termed a long-standing imbalance affecting millions of Cross River residents, Odey expressed confidence in its ability to make objective recommendations. He assured the delegation that the administration of Governor Bassey Otu would remain focused on delivering sustainable development and improving the welfare of citizens while looking forward to an outcome that better reflects the realities and needs of the state.
Earlier, the leader of the RMAFC delegation and Federal Commissioner representing Ebonyi State, Mr Nduka Henry Awuregu, said the team was in Cross River State as part of the Commission’s nationwide National Data Verification Exercise aimed at reviewing and updating data used for revenue allocation to states and local governments.
He explained that the exercise, which commenced in April, is being conducted across the six geopolitical zones in line with the Commission’s constitutional mandate to periodically review the revenue allocation formula and ensure it reflects current realities.
Awuregu commended the Cross River State Government for its cooperation and support throughout the exercise, noting that the team successfully visited schools, hospitals, and other public facilities to verify existing data. He particularly praised the state’s progress in digitalisation, the efficiency of its financial management team, and notable improvements in the education sector, describing the level of collaboration received from government officials as exemplary.
The RMAFC Commissioner expressed confidence that the verified data would receive thorough consideration by the Commission and could positively influence the state’s allocation profile where necessary. He also lauded the prudent management of resources by the administration of Governor Bassey Otu, noting that the team was impressed by the developmental strides recorded despite fiscal constraints.