Chairman of the Federal Civil Service Commission (FCSC), Prof. Tunji Olaopa, has urged more independence for the Revenue Mobilisation Allocation and Fiscal Commission (RMAFC) to enable it to effectively discharge its responsibilities.

Speaking when the Chairman of RMAFC, Dr Mohammed Shehu, and his team paid him a courtesy visit in Abuja, Olaopa said the “RMAFC needs a significant legislative upgrade to strengthen its independence and enforcement powers,” adding that “this would help to stem the pervasive tide of fiscal indiscipline in the economy, while strengthening the commission’s monitoring powers.”

According to Olaopa, the RMAFC is an institution with a very significant mandate, which includes monitoring of financial accruals to the Federation Account for distribution among the tiers of government; advising federal and state governments on revenue generation and fiscal efficiency; and determining the remuneration of political, judicial and top public officers.

He added that the visit was significant because it underscored the value of inter-institutional relationships, strategic communication and synergy.

According to him, the visit should ignite a significant conversation and a thinking process, for the meeting and platform to be amplified and institutionalised as collective intelligence in support of not just the federal government but also as a channel for ideation and problem-solving in the nation’s best interest.

They stated the FCSC’s willingness to forge such a standing relationship with fellow constitutional bodies with areas of commonality and, therefore, the imperative of collaboration in such areas as communication among the executive bodies, especially with the RMAFC, on remuneration packages for political and top public officers, among others.

He further noted that in view of the expressed concerns by RMAFC and many concerned stakeholders at various times, he was sure the commission was equally worried that the revenue-sharing framework had not been comprehensively updated in over three decades.

Olaopa, therefore, commended the RMAFC chairman for the ongoing drive to recalibrate revenue allocation indices to match current realities in the socio-economy.

Earlier, Dr Shehu said the visit was to congratulate Olaopa on his appointment and on the reforms he had initiated at the commission, especially his efforts to recruit young people into the civil service.

Shehu noted that the visit was also aimed at knowing the leaders of the two agencies better and fostering greater collaboration that would improve public service to the citizens.