Revenue Mobilization Agency Advocates Economic Diversification

The Revenue Mobilisation Allocation and Fiscal Commission has advocated the need for the three tiers of governments in Nigeria, to diversify their  economies  as part of measures, to address the dwindling monthly allocation from the federation account. 

Barr. Patrick Mgbebi who led a team of delegates from the commission  made this submission, during the reassessment tour of Economic Diversification Projects and Programmes, at the Conference Hall, Oba’s Complex, Oke-Mosan in Abeokuta, the Ogun State capital

He explained that the essence of the revenue mobilisation was to focus on the non-oil sectors, with the aim of mobilising revenue for government, to enable it  provide the necessary infrastructural and basic amenities for the people.

The Ogun State Commissioner for Finance and Chief Economic Adviser to the Governor, Mr. Dapo Okubadejo, expressed readiness of the State  to work with the team for it to achieve the objectives of the exercise 

Okubadejo, represented by the Budget and Planning Commissioner, Mr. Olaolu Olabimtan, noted that the timing of the advocacy could not have been better, citing the current dwindling revenue informed by the oil price dip and recent Coronavirus pandemic.

Also speaking, the State Commissioner for Culture and Tourism, Mr. Oluwatoyin Taiwo discribed  the tourism sector as  very critical in achieving the diversification of the economy and poverty alleviation bid of the current administration.

Taiwo called for more fund from the government and private investors to develop tourists’ sites, as well as review of existing legislations and policies.

On his part, the State Commissioner for Agriculture, Dr. Adeola Odedina submitted that diversifying the economy through agriculture would not only increase revenue generation for the State and the nation at large, but also serve as a main tool for solving the nation’s unemployment problem.

He added that agriculture would serve as the main source of raw materials for industries, putting it in mind that Ogun state is the industrial hub of the nation, as well as the main tool for curbing inflation, reduce hunger and malnutrition in the country.