Muhammad Bello Shehu, Chairman of the Revenue Mobilisation Allocation and Fiscal Commission (RMAFC), has urged for stronger collaboration with the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) to address revenue leakages and ensure the recovery of unremitted funds to the government.
During a courtesy visit to EFCC Chairman, Mr. Ola Olukoyede, in Abuja, Shehu highlighted the importance of intelligence gathering and data sharing between the two agencies. “We are calling on the EFCC for more collaboration, not only in enforcement but also in intelligence gathering and data sharing concerning government revenue from any source,” Shehu stated.
He noted that previous collaborations with the anti-graft agency had significantly contributed to the recovery of diverted funds. A more robust partnership with the EFCC, he asserted, would effectively tackle the challenges of unremitted revenues to the federation account. Additionally, Shehu sought the EFCC’s assistance in capacity building for RMAFC staff, particularly in forensic investigation, as noted by Maryam Umar Yusuf, Head of Information and Public Relations at RMAFC.
Shehu pointed out that many government-owned enterprises (GOEs), which are supposed to generate revenue, spend from it, and remit the balance as operating surplus to the consolidated revenue fund, have not been doing so. He recalled a successful collaboration between RMAFC and EFCC in 2013, where forensic consultants were engaged to recover unremitted and under-remitted revenues from third parties by banks to the Federation Account, resulting in the recovery of N74 billion for the period of 2008 to 2015.
RMAFC is one of the fourteen Executive Bodies established by Section 153 (1) (n) of the 1999 Constitution (as amended) to ensure the efficient management of the nation’s revenue.
In his response, EFCC Chairman Olukoyede emphasized the necessity of enhanced cooperation between RMAFC and EFCC to ensure proper management of government revenue. He stressed that transparency and accountability are crucial for the country’s progress.
Olukoyede urged RMAFC to address the loopholes in the revenue generation and mobilisation system that allow for leakages. He called for a stakeholder meeting to tackle these issues and emphasized the importance of systemic reforms. “There are things we have been able to do together within the scopes of our mandates. Transparency and accountability should be embedded in our public life as a nation,” he said.
He pointed out that the systemic issues encourage corruption and called for a reevaluation of the system to prevent further leakages. “If we don’t look at the system, we will continue to chase shadows,” Olukoyede warned.
He concluded by emphasizing the need for proper prioritization and surveillance, urging support for the President’s efforts to reposition the country. “The President relies on you, me, and all those he has entrusted with positions of responsibility,” he added.
