The House of Representatives on Wednesday expressed grave concern over President Muhammadu Buhari’s refusal to transmit the report of Revenue Mobilization Allocation and Fiscal Commission (RMAFC) to both chambers of the National Assembly, in breach of Section 162(2) of the 1999 constitution (as amended).
In line with the principle of checks and balances, the House urged Federal Government to submit the reports of the RMAFC to the National Assembly for further legislative actions.
The resolution was passed sequel to the adoption of a motion sponsored by the Minority Leader, Hon Ndudi Elumelu, who underscored the need for the House to ensure compliance with extant financial laws.
In his lead debate, Hon. Elumelu noted that Section 162(2) of the 1999 Constitution (as amended) explicitly provides that the President shall after receiving the report of the commission, should forward same to the National Assembly.
“Further note that section 162 (2) provides inter-alia. ‘The President, upon the receipt of advice from the Revenue Mobilisation Allocation and Fiscal Commission, shall table before the National Assembly proposals for revenue allocation from the Federation Account, and in determining the formula, the National Assembly shall take into account, the allocation principles especially those of population, equality of States, internal revenue generation, landmass, terrain as well as population density; provided that the principle of derivation shall be constantly reflected in any approved formula as being not less than thirteen per cent of the revenue accruing to the Federation Account directly from any natural resources.
“The House is aware that revenue sharing proposals have been sent to the President countless times and yet none of these proposals have ever been brought to the National Assembly for legislative approval.
“The House is further aware that Revenue sharing is one of the key issues that are vital to resolving the sharing formula issues, and true fiscal federalism.
“The House is concerned that the continuous disregard for this Constitutional provision, upsets national peace and creates fiscal inequity.”
To this end, the House mandated its Committee on Finance chaired by Hon Abiodun Faleke, to invite the RMAFC chairman and commissioners to appear with a view to explain further and report back within four weeks for further legislative action.
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