The Minister of State, Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Dr Ramatu Aliyu, has advised revenue agencies in the FCT administration and its six Area Councils to synergize and scale-up revenue generation in the territory.
Aliyu gave the advice at the 147th Joint Area Councils Allocation Committee (JAAC) meeting held at the FCTA secretariat on Monday in Abuja.
She specifically appealed to the Department of Outdoor Advertisement and Signage ( DOAS) and the Abuja Municipal Area Council (AMAC), to ensure that pending cases in court over revenue generation were resolved amicably.
“On this note, I want to also appeal to the Department of Outdoor Advertisement and Signage (DOAS) and AMAC) to resolve their feud because it has impacted negatively on the revenue base.
The minister noted that such prolonged litigations had further compounded the inflow of revenue to the councils, adding that the councils could not make any meaningful progress with the lean monthly revenue allocations from the Federation Account.
Aliyu, who presided over the JAAC meeting, also used the occasion to appeal to Chairmen of the area councils to critically look into their wage bills by ensuring that officials without portfolios were jettisoned with a view to reducing the financial burden on the system.
“It is high time we take the bull by the horn and face the reality. If there are some people we bring on board for political consideration, this is the right time to call them and explain to them.
” We have to tell ourselves the basic truth. With the dwindling revenue generation, it will be difficult for the area councils to function optimally.
” There is need to strengthen our institutions so that they outlive us,” she said.
She disclosed that the FCTA disbursed the sum of N1.9 billion to the Area Councils and other stakeholders, as their share of the statutory allocation from the federation account for the month of October, 2020 saying that “Out of the disbursed allocation, only N286,836,053.49 was made available for distribution to the six area councils.
” While the sum of N1,621,788, 564.08, was made available for other stakeholders, bringing the total to N1,908,624,617.57 billion.
” The figure ashows that AMAC, received N460,108,940.35 million, while Gwagwalada got N294,512,344.32 million and Kuje received N284,029,534.73 million.
” Similarly, Bwari Area Council received N317,895,292.29 million, Abaji got N266,252,308.25 million and Kwali received N285,826,647.63 million.
” Furthermore, distribution to other stakeholders include: Primary Teachers which gulped N1,268,373,922.70 billion, 15 per cent Pension Funds took N226, 478, 989.57 million, 1 per cent Training Fund gulped N19, 086, 246.18 million.
” And 10 per cent Employer Pension Contribution gulped N107, 849, 405.63 million,” she said. (NAN)
