RMAFC Kicks As State, Local Gov’ts Breach Remuneration Law For Office-holders

The Revenue Mobilisation, Allocation and Fiscal Commission (RMAFC) and the House of Representatives, have expressed displeasure over the serial flouting of the provisions of the nation’s Remuneration Act which they say has been observed in breach by the State and Local governments.

RMAFC chairman, Dr. Mohammed Bello Shehu, said whereas the Remuneration Act was enacted at the federal level for political, public and judicial office-holders at the federal level, most States across the country adopted the commission’s recommendation as contained in its reports without the required legislative action or enactment of state laws. “This action contravenes the constitutional provision with respect to the remuneration of the Executive at the State and Local Government levels,” the chairman said on Thursday.

Speaking at a one-day workshop held at the commission’s headquarters in Abuja, Dr Shehu emphasised that proper implementation of remuneration packages was crucial for ensuring good governance and reducing the cost of governance in Nigeria.

The workshop was held to draw the attention of stakeholders at executive and legislative arms of the State government and local government areas on the need to strictly adhere to the provision of the law in the implementation of the remuneration package.

“The disregard of the Commission’s determined remuneration package for elected Councilors at the Local Government level has remained a point of concern to the Commission. Local Government Legislative Councils constitute the Legislative Arm of the third tier,” he stated.

Earlier in his welcome address, the Federal Commissioner representing Gombe State in the Commission, Hon. Mohammed Kabeer Usman, who is the chairman of the Remuneration and Monetisation Committee, underscored the importance of the workshop in addressing challenges in the implementation process.

“The determination of remuneration packages for political, public, and judicial office holders is one of the core functions of the Commission, as provided under the 1999 Constitution. This workshop serves as a platform to educate stakeholders and ensure compliance with constitutional requirements,” Hon. Usman stated.

He urged participants to actively engage in deliberations, emphasising that the knowledge gained from the workshop should be applied to facilitate the proper execution of remuneration packages at the state and local government levels.

Also speaking, the representative of the chairman of the Association of Local Governments in Nigeria (ALGON), Dr. Aminu Hassan, in his goodwill message, expressed optimism that the workshop would foster collaboration between state executive and legislative arms. “ALGON hopes that this workshop will go a long way in cementing a symbiotic relationship by the executives of their respective states and the legislatures, ensuring that we implement a single remuneration for executive political office holders,” he stated.

Chairman of the Forum of Clerks of the Nigerian Legislature, Rukayyatu Adamu Jalo, expressed appreciation to the RMAFC chairman for including FOCON in the workshop. She disclosed that it was the first time the forum was being recognised. Barr. Jalo acknowledged the value the workshop would add to its members.

Delivering the vote of thanks at the end of the opening ceremony, the Secretary to the Commission, Engr. Joseph Okechukwu Nwaze, expressed gratitude to the chairman for organising the workshop and commended the commissioners for their participation. He assured everyone that the workshop would provide valuable insights and practical takeaways to aid the effective implementation of remuneration packages.

The workshop brought together key stakeholders, including state executive representatives, state legislators, and local government officials, to address critical issues in the implementation of RMAFC’s remuneration recommendations.