THE Vice President, Kashim Shettima says the Federal Government is committed to implementing policies that will stabilise the economy, and improve quality of life.
Shettima stated this at the opening of a three-day retreat for newly-appointed commissioners of the Revenue Mobilisation, Allocation and Fiscal Commission (RMAFC) in Uyo, yesterday .
The theme of the retreat was “Understanding the Role of the Revenue Mobilisation, Allocation and Fiscal Commission and other Stakeholders in Nation Building”.
He said that the President Bola Tinubu-led government is already implementing well thought-out policies that would expand opportunities and improve quality of life.
Represented by Mr. Ibrahim Natagwandu, his Technical Adviser on Public Debt Management and Revenue Mobilisation, Shettima said that the Federal Government is making bold reforms aimed at eradication poverty. “We are attracting investment and creating an enabling environment where the citizenry can contribute meaningfully to national development,” he said.
The vice president urged RMAFC officials to align with the aspirations of the current government by upholding the principles of transparency, equity, and excellence.
Shettima said that the retreat offered an opportunity to deepen the understanding of the commission’s mandate, internal structures, inter-governmental dynamics, and evolving fiscal realities.
He further said that the retreat was in tandem with the Renewed Hope Agenda of the Tinubu-led administration.
“This is particularly in areas of revenue optimisation, economic diversification, and prudent public expenditure,” he said.
In his remarks, RMAFC Chairman, Dr Mohammed Shehu, said that the retreat was designed to equip members with the operations and responsibilities of the commission.
Shehu said that the retreat also aimed to prepare the members to deliver on the commission’s mandate, and contribute effectively to nation building.
He urged the new members to see their appointments as not only a call to service, but a period to demonstrate integrity, patriotism and excellence.
The RMAFC Chairman urged all tiers of government to promote economic diversification, by investing in agriculture, tourism and solid minerals among others.
“This will help to meet the increasing expenditure demand that is requirement for governance and development,” he said.
“I urge you to pay attention to the resource persons, take the lessons from the retreat seriously. The essence is to improve on the performance of the commission.
“The ideas generated here must translate into improved performance and innovative strategies that will redefine our fiscal future,” he said.
In his speech, Gov. UmoEno of Akwa Ibom, said that the economic policies of the Tinubu-led administration had led to increased revenue to states. “This has helped us as governors to implement projects that will ultimately improve the wellbeing of our people,” he said. Eno said that the Tinubu-led government had taken bold economic steps that would yield highly positive results at the appropriate time.
