From Stanley Uzoaru, Owerri
The Accountant General of the Federation, Dr. Shamseldeen Ogunjimi, the National Council on Finance and Economic Development (NACROFED) team, and top federal and state finance officials will converge on Imo State on August 16 for a four-day economic meeting aimed at charting the way forward for Nigeria’s economy.
Briefing journalists in Owerri, yesterday, Imo State Commissioner for Finance and Coordinating Economy, Dr. Chuk Chuckuemeka, said the meeting will provide a platform to deliberate on fiscal challenges and strategies for sustainable revenue generation amid a volatile global economy.
Chuckuemeka said the council will be chaired by the Minister of Finance and Coordinating Economy, Taiwo Oyedele, and the Accountant General of the Federation. The meeting, he added, will bring together the 36 State Accountant Generals, officials of the Central Bank of Nigeria, members of the Federal Allocation Committee (FAAC), and the entire NACROFED family.
“This is the first time any state in the South East is hosting this meeting,” Chuckuemeka said. “Policy makers of Nigeria will be in Owerri to continue discussions on the situation of the country and how we can strengthen fiscal federalism for the benefit of all tiers of government.”
The opening ceremony is scheduled for Monday, August 17, and will be declared open by the Governor of Imo State, Hope Uzodimma. Critical stakeholders are also expected to be in attendance.
Also present at the briefing were Commissioner for Tourism, Earnest Ibejiako; Accountant General of Imo State, Linus Okafor; and Special Adviser on Event Management, Bright Nwelue.
The theme of the meeting is: “Strengthening Fiscal Federalism for Sustainable Revenue Generation, Equitable Allocation and Economic Resilience in a Volatile Global Economy.”
Chuckuemeka added that deliberations will focus on ways to strengthen the operations of the FAAC and improve revenue allocation, accountability, and economic resilience across the federation.
Delegates are expected to arrive in Owerri on August 16, ahead of the formal commencement of activities.
(The Sun)
