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From Fred Itua, Abuja
Fiscal Responsibility Commission (FRC) Chairman, Victor Muruako, yesterday, said the commission has generated over N2 trillion since inception in 2007.
The money, according to him, has been remitted into the Consolidated Revenue Fund (CRF).
Muruako disclosed when he appeared before the Senate Committee on Finance for the public hearing of the bill that repeal and re-enact the Fiscal Responsibility Act (FRA).
The legislation, sponsored by Adamawa senator, Aisha Dahiru, seeks to curb financial fraud and wastage within ministries, departments and agencies (MDAs) to ensure more effective and efficient delivery of public services.
The bill, according to Dahiru, will provide a better legal framework to back the operations of the commission, which she said has been limited.
“If passed, will expand the functions and powers of the FRC; ensure adequate funding/increased budgetary allocations to the commission; ensure the remittance of operating surplus by MDAs; ensure enforcement of penalties and establish the Fiscal Responsibility Council,” she said.
Part of the bill also proposes that the commission retains a portion of the operating surpluses paid into the CRF of the Federal Government as cost of collection.
The amendment also seeks to limit the expenditure of all other MDAs (not listed in the schedule) to not more than 75 percent of their gross revenue.
In his presentation, Muruako stressed the need for the commission to be strengthened in all ramifications and its responsibilities, powers and functions properly streamlined.
He also said the move to repeal the Act will ultimately improve the commission’s funding and capacity to increase the generation of independent revenue into the CRF of the Federal Government as well as end the current state of impunity with which statutory obligations imposed by the Act which are routinely ignored by many MDAs and GOEs.
“The generation of independent revenue through the remittance of operating surplus is one aspect of the mandate of the commission that has added great value to governance.
“It is noteworthy that the commission has since inception caused over N2 trillion to be remitted to the CRF in spite of the lapses in the present Act. It is expected that the amendment bill will cause even more revenue to be remitted into the Federal Government coffers by the present 122 schedule corporations (increased from 30 and still counting) as well as align the same with scant legislation like the Finance Act 2020,” he said.
The legislation, he said, has made elaborate provisions for offences and penalties for the infringement of the provision of the Act which include penal and financial sanctions.
“The need for a special and sustainable funding arrangement to enable it deliver on its mandate is starkly evident.
“The proposal in the bill for the retention by the commission of a portion of the operating surpluses paid into the CRF of the Federal Government as cost of collection, if passed will go a long way in securing and enhancing the crucial financial autonomy necessary for the commission to meet the expectation of the nation,” he said.
