RMAFC Staff Slam FG, Reject Jobs’ Outsourcing
BY EDMOND ODOK, ABUJA – Protesting staff of the Revenue Mobilisation Allocation and Fiscal Commission (RMAFC) have accused the Federal Government of nonchalance and insensitivity that now render the Commission redundant and inefficient at service delivery.
They are also pointing accusing fingers at the Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS) for colluding with some government agencies to encroach on as well as seek to take over the Commission’s constitutional responsibilities.
Similarly, the aggrieved staff, who massed under the auspices of Nigerian Civil Service Union (NCSU) and the Association of Senior Civil Servants of Nigeria (ASCSON), have rejected what they described as ‘underhand moves’ to further frustrate the Commission by outsourcing its statutory functions
For them, there are strong grounds for their current complaints given that the Presidency’s inability to constitute a new board has made it difficult for the Commission to effectively discharge its statutory services to the nation.
Addressing the protesting workers at the Commission’s headquarters in Abuja on Tuesday, Chairman of NCSU, Comrade Josiah Amanabi charged the President for being noncommittal and demonstrating complete lack of interest in the affairs of RMAFC for about three years now.
Amanabi said with no properly constituted board in place to oversee its activities, the Commission and the workers have been frustrated in their efforts to perform the constitutionally-assigned role of monitoring revenue generating agencies and blocking revenue leakages in the country.
He further claimed that subtle moves are being made in some circles to hijack and outsource RMAFC’s statutory functions, to some interested parties, adding; “As we are talking to you, the National Economic Council (NEC) has contracted out our lawful duties to some so-called consultants.”
Also addressing the agitated workers, Chairman of ASCSN, Comrade Martins Adeoye chided the Federal Government for failing to appoint a substantive Chairman as well as the remaining 30 Commissioners to fill existing vacancies, noting that this singular action is compromising and threatening the Commission’s activities.
A worried Adeoye disclosed that there are palpable fears of insecurity among the workers over the continued poor state of affairs in the Commission, adding; “As we speak, some other bodies are making efforts to make sure that what ought to be our responsibility is given to consultants and that should not be so as it is an encroachment into our responsibilities.
“One of our core functions is to carry out oversight functions of the revenue collecting agencies of Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS), Nigerian Customs Service (NCS), Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) and Ministry of Finance.”
Comrade Adeoye also said poor staff welfare and condition of service have now become nagging challenges in the Commission, adding; “So poor funding and administrative inertia are the issues we have and we are appealing to the President, Ministry of Finance and National Assembly to assist us constitute the board so we can serve the nation better.”
The ASCSN Chairman said an urgent re-constitution of the board with a substantive Chairman, Secretary and full complement of its Commissioners would bring the Commission back to life and ensure that its constitutional responsibilities are effectively carried out in the nation’s overall interest, especially in terms of improved revenue generation and sustainable economic growth.
According to information from the distressed workers, over two years since the former Chairman, Mr Elias Mbam, completed his first tenure in November. 2015, the Commission has remained near comatose with only an Acting Chairman; an Acting Secretary; and seven (7) Commissioners.
Though Mbam was re-appointed by President Muhammadu Buhari in 2016, his name is yet to be sent to the Nigerian Senate for confirmation by the Presidency.
They staff expressed their grievances by openly displaying placards with various inscriptions that include: ‘We are ready to carry out our duties’; ‘Staff are now redundant’; ‘We need financial autonomy’; and ‘We have the capacity to block revenue leakages’ among others.
