The Revenue Mobilisation Allocation and Fiscal Commission (RMAFC) has condemned the disregard of several states for its remuneration guidelines for political, public, and judicial officeholders.
RMAFC Chairman, Mohammed Shehu, expressed these concerns during a workshop in Abuja, which aimed to address the challenges faced by states in implementing the remuneration package.
Shehu emphasized that while the federal government and the Federal Capital Territory have fully enacted the RMAFC’s remuneration recommendations, many states and local government councils have failed to pass the required state laws or implement the packages as recommended, violating the 1999 Constitution. Several states merely adopted the RMAFC’s recommendations without enacting appropriate legislation, breaching constitutional provisions.
This lack of compliance has led to ongoing complaints and investigations into state-level corruption and mismanagement, often resulting in inquiries by agencies like the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission and the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission.
Shehu urged state executives and legislatures to strictly follow constitutional provisions in implementing the RMAFC remuneration package. The workshop aimed to educate stakeholders on their responsibilities and resolve grey areas in the implementation process.
The RMAFC chairman emphasized the principles of equity, fairness, and reasonableness, stressing that remuneration for officeholders should reflect the risks and responsibilities attached to their positions while ensuring affordability within the government’s budget.
Shehu also addressed the issue of local government councillors, noting that their remuneration falls under the RMAFC’s mandate and should not require state legislative approval. He expressed concerns over several states’ disregard for the RMAFC’s authority in this matter.
The RMAFC chairman called on stakeholders to respect the commission’s guidelines, arguing that adherence to the remuneration package would contribute significantly to good governance and reduce the cost of governance across Nigeria.