A civil society organisation, the Global Society for Anti-Corruption (GSAC), said on Thursday that the effective deployment of improved allocations by state governors would reduce national tensions.

The organisation stated that the effective use of these resources can stimulate growth, even as it commended the federal government for boosting revenue allocations.

Research Director of GSAC, Rosemary Chinemerem Aniorji, in a statement, explained that revenue allocation is a critical component of state budget implementation, particularly in a nation that operates under fiscal federalism.

Aniorji stated that the allocation of revenue is critical for ensuring that funds are used effectively in alignment with strategic goals, stressing that research conducted among states in the country recently showed an improvement in allocation from 2022 to 2024 with the month of May as a reference point.

Explaining that the data obtained from the website of the National Bureau of Statistics and Federation Account Allocation Committee (FAAC) showed an increment in allocations, it stated that statutory allocation for 2023 to states alone was over N299 billion, with over N125 billion VAT among others.

It gave the statutory allocation for 2024 so far as N388 billion, with VAT allocations of N231.71 billion among others, stressing that revenue allocation experienced a 53.8 percent surge.

Aniorji said: “The Global Society for Anti-Corruption (GSAC) urges the Governors’ Forum to leverage the significant increase in allocations under President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration to empower Nigerian citizens. This funding should be directed towards enhancing exportation, similar to practices in other countries.

“Effective use of these resources can alleviate national tensions, particularly concerning the country’s economic situation, as the federal government has made commendable strides in boosting revenue allocations. It is now up to the Governors’ Forum to build on this momentum and ensure that the funds reach the masses, promoting their welfare.

“We must move beyond assigning blame and focus on taking action. The Governors’ Forum is encouraged to adopt innovative approaches to address the needs of the populace. Engaging Nigeria’s vibrant youth in productive activities is essential for curbing societal issues; providing opportunities for growth can serve as a catalyst for meaningful change.

“Given this significant increase, it is crucial that we see a marked reduction in economic hardship. If the governors focus on encouraging the populace to engage in exporting our domestic products, it will create a mutually beneficial situation for all parties involved. Positioning Nigeria as a key player on the world stage, with significant influence in international affairs.”