Musa Affos (Rhapsodi)


The Taraba state chapter of The Association of Local Government of Nigeria (ALGON) has called on the federal government to review the existing revenue formula.


Hon. Bala Bako, chairman of the association and also the Executive Chairman of Ibi local government council, made this known while answering questions from newmen in Jalingo. This is during a two day sensitization, advocacy and interactive tour organized by the fiscal commission for LG chairmen and state actors.

Hon. Bako added that the existing revenue formula are not favourable to the LG.


“If actually Nigeria is practicing true federalism; in the sense of true federalism, it is stated fiscal federalism are revenues generated by the component state particularly, that is the state, LG and tiers of government particularly the LG where the revenue points are sighted.

“If we generate money from the local level, we pay a certain percentage to the centre that is the FG but the situation in Nigeria now is different because we don't know whether we are practising fiscal federalism or true federalism in the true sense of it.”

“Let me put it on record that as a country and LG, let us be allowed to generate revenue and keep the large part at the grassroots  where people are populated where we can use the money to take care of the people,  then pay certain percentage to the FG and the money we pay should be used for common interest of the state,  LG & FG where issues of security are connected.”

“If we don't review this percentage we have today, the LG will continue to bear the groan, while the money is concentrated at the FG.”

“I want to plead with this commission to review the revenue formula by giving the LG the larger part of the revenue generated then keep part of it to the FG, we are the people that carry the burden”.


Leader of the committee and a former Deputy Governor of Abia state Chief Chris Akomas, stated that the major component of the committees mandate was to ensure that data submitted by the subnationals were in tandem with what is actually on ground.

 He reminded the stakeholders that the commission will rely on the census data available at the state population commission to verify outrageous figures.

"As a commission we will do our best to provide a level playing field where justice and fairness is served. We will work with all the relevant stakeholders in ensuring the indices collated serve as a guide to the committee during public hearings on a future date".

He expressed satisfaction with the cooperation the state government has exhibited  during their tour in the state.

Commissioner for budget and planning Mr. Solomon Elisha assured the committee that all the key actors in the subnationals work assiduously to present what is consistent with present realities.