. as RMAFC begins verification exercise
Ondo State Governor, Lucky Orimisan Aiyedatiwa, has stressed the importance of accurate data collection in governance, warning that wrong information could lead to faulty government decisions.
The governor made this emphasis while addressing members of the Revenue Mobilisation Allocation and Fiscal Commission during the commission’s nationwide data verification exercise in Ondo State.
Aiyedatiwa noted that governments at all levels depend heavily on credible information when making critical decisions, stressing that the quality of governance is tied to the accuracy of data gathered from the field.
According to him, the government takes decisions based on information at its disposal. “If the information is inaccurate, the decisions will be faulty.
“That is why it is important to ensure that the information we get from the field is accurate, because that is what will inform our decisions.”
The governor commended the commission for embarking on the verification exercise, describing it as a crucial step toward ensuring dependable records for national planning and development.
Speaking on the security situation in the state, Aiyedatiwa assured the delegation of safety throughout the exercise.
He maintained that Ondo State remains peaceful and secure, noting that residents and public officials move freely without fear.
The governor assured the RMAFC delegation of his administration’s support and cooperation toward ensuring the success of the nationwide exercise in the state.
Earlier, Chairman of the commission and leader of the delegation, Kabir Muhammad Mashi, said the exercise was aimed at reviewing and updating data used in revenue allocation among states and local government areas across the country.
He explained that the initiative formed part of the commission’s constitutional responsibility to ensure fairness, equity and justice in the sharing of national resources.
According to him, the exercise was being conducted in line with Paragraph 32(b) of Part I of the Third Schedule to the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, which empowers the commission to continuously review the revenue allocation formula to reflect changing socio-economic realities.
Mashi stated that the verification exercise would focus on updating critical data and indices used in revenue sharing across the federation, stressing that accurate and current data remain essential for equitable allocation of resources.
He disclosed that the ongoing review of the Revenue Allocation Formula had reached an advanced stage, making it necessary to validate the integrity and accuracy of data that would guide revenue distribution nationwide.
The RMAFC chairman recalled that the commission had in 2022 concluded a tooling programme aimed at equipping officials of states and local governments with skills in data gathering and management relating to the computation of horizontal revenue allocation.
He added that the commission had also digitalised its data collection process to improve efficiency and credibility.
Mashi said the verification team would collaborate with ministries, departments, agencies and local authorities to ensure accurate and credible data collection that reflects realities on the ground.
He appealed to the Ondo State Government to provide access to relevant records, designate competent liaison officers, facilitate access to local government areas and ensure a conducive environment for the exercise.
“The outcome of this exercise will have significant implications for the federation as a whole and for your state in particular,” he said.
Mashi also commended Governor Aiyedatiwa for what he described as giant strides in governance and appreciated the Ondo State Government for the warm reception accorded him and members of his team.
The event was attended by the Federal Commissioner of RMAFC, Helen Inafa Bob; Head of Secretariat, RMAFC, Fagbemi Samuel Oladiran; Ondo State Coordinator, RMAFC, Ojo Ebenezer; Permanent Secretary, Ondo SUBEB, Abike Bayo-Ilawole; Ondo State Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, Amidu Takuro; Commissioner for Culture and Tourism, Afolabi Adesoji; traditional rulers, among other dignitaries.
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