GOV ENO LAUDS PRESIDENT TINUBU OVER IMPROVED FUNDING TO STATES

GOV ENO LAUDS PRESIDENT TINUBU OVER IMPROVED FUNDING TO STATES

… assures on support for RMAFC verification exercise

Akwa Ibom State Governor, Pastor Umo Eno, has once again, praised President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for making improved funds available to States, for the execution of projects and general development.

Governor Eno gave the commendation when members of the board of the Revenue Mobilization, Allocation and Fiscal Commission (RMAFC), who were in the State for a comprehensive data verification exercise, paid him a courtesy visit.

He noted that under President Tinubu, Akwa Ibom State has enjoyed good funding which has enabled the State to pay off her loans and execute projects without borrowing or owing.

The Governor said the State has its sources and application of funds well planned out, and was able to keep to its campaign promises in line with the ARISE Agenda.

He also appreciated President Tinubu for supporting sub nationals like Akwa Ibom by helping them to reach out to their people, adding that given the availability of funds, the local government councils were also doing well in their respective areas.

The State Chief Executive who expressed confidence in the quality and calibre of members of the RMAFC team, welcomed them to the State for the exercise and assured them of his support and cooperation to enable the exercise succeed.

He also commended the commission for its dedicated service, which according to him, has restored confidence in, not just of Akwa Ibom people, but the entire federation.

In his remarks, the team lead, Prof. Olusegun Adekunle Wright, said the team is in the State for the South South data verification exercise, a critical national assignment, undertaken pursuant to the constitutional mandate of the commission.

He said the objective of the exercise is to ensure that the data deployed in determining revenue allocation among states and local governments remains accurate, credible, current and reflective of prevailing realities, adding that equity in revenue sharing cannot be achieved through assumptions or outdated statistics, but on verifiable facts and objective evidence.

Prof. Wright noted that Akwa Ibom State occupies a unique place in Nigeria especially in the area of revenue generation and fiscal stability, stressing that the State represents a triumph of vision, resilience, enterprise, and purposeful leadership.

“Akwa Ibom State has consistently distinguished itself as one of the foremost contributors to national development. The people are renowned for industry, peaceful disposition, entrepreneurial spirit and unwavering commitment to excellence.

“Beyond its strategic importance as one of the leading oil producing states in the Country, Akwa Ibom has emerged as model of transformational leadership through sustained investment in infrastructure, healthcare delivery, education, tourism and human capital development,” he said.

Wright said the development strides of the State stands as evidence to what has been accomplished through prudent resource management, visionary leadership and a collective determination of a people united by a common aspiration for progress.

He appreciated the Governor and the State for what he described as a warm reception and demonstration of support for the commission to accomplish its mission.

On hand to receive the visitors were the Deputy Governor, Senator Akon Eyakenyi; the Secretary to the State Government, Prince Enobong Uwah; the Head of Civil Service, Mrs. Elsie Peters; the Executive Assistant/Chief Delivery Advisory to the Governor, Mr. Aniefiok Johnson; Commissioners, and other Government functionaries.

In the team were Federal Commissioners including Barr Imo Akpan, Hon. Rakiya Tanko Ayuba-Haruna, Prof. Steve Ugba, and Mr. Modu Aji -Juluri.