The Kogi State Government has confirmed receiving the state’s first derivation allocation from the Revenue Mobilization Allocation and Fiscal Commission (RMAFC), since the state became recognized as one of the oil producing states in Nigeria.
The State Commissioner for Information and Communications, Kingsley Fanwo tweeted that Governor Yahaya Bello announced receiving the allocation at the State Executive Council meeting in Lokoja, the state capital.
Fanwo said that the Governor assured that the state will use its status as an oil producing state to benefit the people.
“He promised to do more in the areas of education, infrastructure and many other sectors. He thanked President Buhari for achieving this feat,” Fanwo said.
ebirareporters.com recalls that in September 2021, RMAFC announced that Kogi will start to benefit from the 13 per cent Derivation Fund as soon as proceeds from the operation in Oda River Oil well-1 or Anambra River 1, 2 or 3 Oil wells started contributing to the federation account.
RMAFC also revealed that it had started reviewing the Revenue Allocation Formula (RAF) between the federal government and the federating units, as well as the local governments.
Kogi State’s eligibility for benefits from the derivation fund was conveyed in a letter addressed to the governor, Alhaji Yahaya Bello, by the RMAFC.
The correspondence, titled, “Re: Request to Declare Kogi State as Oil and Gas Producing State,” was dated August 24, 2021 and signed by Secretary to the commission, Mohammad Shehu.
The RMAFC stated that following the governor’s request, dated August 10, 2021, it resolved during its 139th plenary session on July 27, 2021 to approve the attribution of Oda River Oil well-1 to Kogi State.
“Furthermore, the commission approved the attribution of Anambra River 1, 2 and 3 oil wells on a 50:50 percentage basis between Anambra and Kogi states pending the final delineation of the boundary between the two states,” the commission added.
RMAFC also commenced the process of reviewing the existing RAF among the federal, state and local governments. The commission’s chairman, Mr. Elias Mbam, said the new formula will be ready before the end of 2021 and would be submitted to President Muhammadu Buhari for onward transmission to the National Assembly.
In the current sharing arrangement, the federal government (Including special funds) is entitled to 52.68 per cent, while state governments receive 26.72 per cent, and local governments receive 20.60 per cent.
Of the federal government ‘s 52.68 per cent share of revenue, 48.68 per cent is further allocated to the Consolidated Revenue Fund (CRF) with another one per cent given to the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).
Mbam said the revenue allocation review was informed by the fact that the last general review of the formula was carried out 28 years ago in 1992.
Reactions
The netizens from the state have took turns to congratulate the government, praying that the money benefits the people.
Mariat Zat wrote: Kogi state is the first oil producing state in the northern Nigeria. Congratulations to us, may this benefit the youths. 🙏🏼
Goodman Akwu: Congratulations to Kogites. First Oil Derivation paid by RMAFC & received. May it be used judiciously to the benefit of the people.
