RMAFC Identifies Lapses in State, Local Government Remuneration Implementation
By Patience Ikpeme
The Revenue Mobilisation Allocation and Fiscal Commission (RMAFC) has uncovered significant lapses in the implementation of remuneration reports at the state and local government levels, stemming from a pilot monitoring exercise conducted in 2019.
This revelation was made by the Executive Chairman of the Commission, Dr. Mohammed Bello Shehu, during a workshop aimed at engaging executive and legislative members of states and local governments on the proper implementation of remuneration packages for political, public, and judicial office holders.
Dr. Shehu disclosed that the commission observed that many states adopted RMAFC’s recommendations without the necessary legislative action or enactment of state laws, contravening constitutional provisions.
“The Commission, had observed lapses in the implementation of the remuneration reports at the state and local government levels as contained in the report of a Pilot monitoring exercise it carried out in 2019. For instance, whereas the remuneration Act was enacted at the federal level for the purpose of political, public and judicial office holders at that level and the Federal Capital Territory, most States across the country adopted the Commission’s recommendation as contained in its reports without the required legislative action or enactment of State Laws. This action, contravenes the constitutional provision with respect to remuneration of the executive at the state and local Government levels,” he stated.
Furthermore, the RMAFC has consistently received complaints and requests for clarifications regarding the implementation of its recommendations, including investigations by the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) and the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) against state and local government officials.
To address these issues, the RMAFC organized a one-day workshop with specific objectives: to enlighten key stakeholders on the proper implementation of remuneration packages, provide clarifications on gray areas, advise state executive and legislative arms to adhere strictly to constitutional provisions, and gather feedback to guide the commission’s functions.
Dr. Shehu emphasized the importance of Section 124 (1) & (4) of the 1999 Constitution (as amended), which clearly outlines the roles of State Houses of Assembly in determining remuneration. “Section 124(1) provides that ‘there shall be paid to the holders of the offices mentioned in this section such remuneration and salaries as may be prescribed by a House of Assembly, but not exceeding the amount as shall have been determined by the Revenue Mobilisation Allocation and Fiscal Commission.’ Section 124(4) provides that ‘The offices aforesaid are the offices of the Governor; Deputy Governor, Auditor-General for a State and the Chairman and members of the following bodies, that is to say, the State Civil Service Commission, the State Independent Electoral Commission and the State Judicial Service Commission.’ In this respect, this section categorically empowers the State Assembly to deliberate and pass the reviewed remuneration package from the Revenue Mobilisation Allocation and Fiscal Commission’s recommendations into law in their respective States,” he explained.
He also highlighted the commission’s concern over the disregard for its determined remuneration package for elected councilors at the local government level. “The disregard of the Commission’s determined remuneration package for elected Councillors at the Local Government level has remain a point of concern to the Commission. Local Government Legislative Councils constitute the Legislative Arm of the third tier. Unlike appointed Councillors that forms the Executive Council, whose remuneration is to be prescribed by the State House of Assembly based on the recommendations of the Commission, the remuneration of the Legislative arm remains within the realms of the Commission constitutional powers. Accordingly, respect for the remuneration package at all levels of government will go a long way in ensuring good governance and reduce the cost of governance in Nigeria,” Dr. Shehu stated.
In his welcome address, Mohammed Kabeer, Chairman of the Remuneration and Monetization Committee of RMAFC, reminded officials of the commission’s constitutional mandate to determine remuneration packages for political, public, and judicial office holders.
“Renumeration for Political, Public, and Judicial Office Holders in the country is one of the core functions of the Commission as provided under the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (as amended),” he said.
