…Trains Staff On Performance Mgt System
Following a retreat organised for members of the Mobilisation and Diversification Committee (M&DC) and the issues that were discussed at the event, the Revenue Mobilisation Allocation and Fiscal Commission (RMAFC) has underscored the urgent need for government at all levels in the country to embark on transformative economic diversification to cope with the current emerging realities for sustainable growth of the nation’s economy.
Speaking during the opening ceremony of the 3-day retreat with the theme “Clarifying the Strategic Role of the Mobilisation and Diversification Committee and Leveraging Diversification Mandate to Drive Nigeria’s Economic Transformation”, which was rounded off last Saturday at Calabar, Cross River State, the Chairman of the Commission, Dr. Muhammed Bello Shehu, said the retreat was designed to evaluate existing revenue mobilisation frameworks, explore innovative avenue for economic diversification, strenthen collaboration with subnationals and other relevant stakeholders and most importantly develop actionable recommendations that suits into the national policy.
Represented by the Federal Commissioner representing Kwara State, Hon. Ismail Agaka, the Chairman said: “Nigeria’s fiscal trajectory is at crossroads. While the federal government continues to face growing expenditure needs, internally generated revenue (IGR) remains insufficient across most states. The time has come for all stakeholders to adopt a deliberate and data driven approach to revenue mobilisation and economic diversification.”
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In his remarks at the event, the Mobilisation and Diversification Committee Chairman and Federal Commissioner representing Edo State in the Commission, Hon. Victor Eboigbe, disclosed that the retreat was organized to examine issues affecting the committee performance and deliberate on innovative and actionable ways to engender a realistic economic diversification at all levels that will be in tune with the current economic realities in the country.
In a communiqué issued at the end of the retreat, the Committee recommended the addition of economic diversification efforts of governments at all levels as one of the proxies for sharing the revenue allocation formula. It also emphasized the need to sensitize the sub-national governments by collaborating with the six regional development commissions to organise zonal advocacy campaigns.
In addition, the communiqué recommended that the Commission should come up with a National Policy document on economic diversification, taking into consideration economic potential and the peculiarities of the three tiers of government, adding that the mobilisation and diversification committee should collaborate with all relevant stakeholders to obtain information that would guide the committee in carrying out its mandates.
Other recommendations include to foster Public Private Partnership and facilitate collaboration amongst the Federal, States, and Local Government Councils to boost investment and economic growth.
To organise zonal advocacy to enhance revenue generation of the tiers of government by bringing in the informal sector into the tax net using banks and the financial sector. The Committee also recommended that government at all levels should embark on projects with huge revenue potential and job contents and the urgent need for the continuation of infrastructural development of past administrations.
For the purpose of continuity, the Committee recommended that past programmes of the Commission on economic diversification at all levels should be rebranded and reorganized to reflect the current economic realities in the country.
In a related development, the Chairman reaffirmed the commission’s commitment to embracing digital transformation for improved productivity and service delivery.
He gave the assurance on Tuesday during the opening ceremony of the 9-Day training on Performance Management System (PMS) organized for staff of the commission, adding that the new PMS would replace the old annual performance evaluation report.
Noting that automation and digital tools will streamline processes, minimise errors, and make the analog system a thing of the past, Shehu, who was represented by Hon. Agaka at the capacity building programme, urged staff to adapt to the changes, warning them that “if you do not shake into the system, the system will likely shake you out.”
The Chairman further advised participants to adjust their mindset and attitude to embrace the new changes coming in the next few months.
Also addressing the participants, the Secretary to the Commission, Mr. Nwaeze Okechukwu, who described RMAFC as one of the nation’s strategic institutions, explained that the training would ensure that officers experience digital transformation and develop new skills.
He, therefore, encouraged staff to learn while maintaining good dressing and the culture of punctuality to promote a professional and respectful work environment.
In his goodwill message, the PMS Consultant from Reliefline Nigeria Limited, Mr. Emmanuel Ohiro commended the initiative, noting that the workshop is a good idea and urged the participants to take it seriously as it will improve in their performance.
