Abia State Governor, Dr. Alex Otti, has called on the Revenue Mobilization Allocation and Fiscal Commission (RMFAC) to expand its mandate from just allocating funds to actively tracking how they are used by states and federal agencies.
Speaking on Monday, through his Chief of Staff, Pastor Caleb Ajagba, during a visit by the RMFAC Federal Commissioner representing Abia, Mrs. Nkechi Oti, Otti underscored the importance of not only sharing revenue fairly but ensuring that public funds are transparently and effectively utilised.
“The Revenue Mobilization and Fiscal Commission is one that every Nigerian should be proud of—ensuring that the revenue that accrues to this nation is judiciously allocated. And also, you monitor the disbursement. I believe also, you should go ahead and monitor how those funds are used,” he said.
The governor maintained that transparency does not end with allocation. It must include active oversight of how funds are spent—an approach he described as critical to building trust and achieving good governance.
“We should come up with a framework that will enable people to monitor what is being given to them—whether state, federal, whatever. Because it’s not just knowing the revenue allocated to them. At the end of the day, we should also be accountable. Accountability is one of the issues that will make us stand tall in the comity of states,” he stated.
Citing Abia’s fiscal approach, Otti noted that his administration has delivered results not by receiving the highest allocation, but by embracing strict financial discipline.
“Our government is a government that understands how to manage money. And if you can see what is being done in Abia today, it’s not because Abia receives the highest in terms of allocation, but it has learned financial discipline,” he said.
He highlighted the achievements made within two years in office—including the clearance of salary arrears, rehabilitation of Port Harcourt Road in Aba, hospital upgrades, and school renovations affirming that every naira is tracked and accounted for.
“The government understands the needs of Abia and also knows how to monitor every dime that accrues to this state to make sure that they are judiciously utilised.
“One question that anyone that comes to Abia State will always ask is: where is Governor Otti getting the money to execute the various projects? So, you can see financial discipline. You can see financial prudence in terms of management,” he added.
The governor congratulated Mrs. Nkechi Oti on her appointment as Federal Commissioner representing Abia at RMFAC and charged her to carry out her duties with integrity.
In response, Mrs. Nkechi Oti said her visit was to formally engage with stakeholders in the state following her appointment. She lauded the Otti administration’s prudent use of public funds and pledged to work closely with the state to promote efficient resource management.
“I am impressed with what is being done in Abia. The results speak for themselves,” she said.
Also present at the meeting were the Commissioner for Finance, Mr. Uwaoma Ukandu, and other top government officials.