RMAFC Commits to Enhancing Mining Sector Revenue
By Patience Ikpeme
The Revenue Mobilisation Allocation and Fiscal Commission (RMAFC) has reaffirmed its commitment to strengthening revenue generation from Nigeria’s mining sector through enhanced data management and monitoring.
This was disclosed at a sensitization workshop organised by the commission in Enugu targeting the South East Zone to introduce a new data rendition template aimed at improving the accuracy of revenue tracking from mining activities.
RMAFC Chairman Dr. Mohammed Bello Shehu stressed the commission’s resolve to close existing gaps in remittance of mining revenues to the Federation Account. He noted that despite active mining operations nationwide, contributions to the Federation Account remain minimal due to inadequate monitoring and management systems.
“It is the intention of the RMAFC to ensure all dues from the mining sector are promptly and accurately remitted to the Federation’s distribution pool,” Dr. Shehu stated.
The new template, explained by Federal Commissioner Ambassador Ayuba Jacob Ngbako, will capture detailed data on mineral quantities, producing companies, their locations, licenses, fees, and permits paid.
This will provide a reliable platform to track and account for mining revenues effectively.Addressing the urgent need for diversification amid economic challenges, Dr. Shehu underscored the government’s priority to reduce dependence on volatile hydrocarbon revenues by boosting sectors such as solid minerals, agriculture, manufacturing, and the blue economy.
This initiative aligns with President Bola Tinubu’s administration’s strategy to broaden Nigeria’s revenue base.Support from state officials was notable. Enugu State Governor Peter Mbah, represented by the Commissioner for Energy and Mineral Resources, hailed the template as a critical tool for accurate revenue monitoring and sound policy formulation.
He stressed its role in closing revenue leakages and fostering equitable resource allocation. Similar endorsements came from commissioners across other South East states, recognizing the initiative’s importance for local economic development and fiscal integrity.
The Enugu workshop is part of a nationwide campaign, following earlier sessions in Abuja and Asaba, to sensitize all six geopolitical zones. RMAFC’s proactive steps in standardizing data collection and improving transparency mark a significant stride in boosting solid mineral revenue contributions to the Federation Account and strengthening Nigeria’s fiscal framework.
