Niger State Governor, Umaru Bago, has appealed to the Revenue Mobilisation Allocation and Fiscal Commission (RMAFC) to recognise the state as one of the beneficiaries of the 13.5 per cent derivation allocation.
Bago made the request on Friday in Minna while receiving a delegation from the commission during a courtesy visit.
The governor said Niger State had been disadvantaged by its exclusion from the derivation scheme despite hosting four hydropower dams and contributing significantly to Nigeria’s electricity supply.
According to him, the state is home to two major rivers and produces about 60 per cent of the electricity consumed in the country, yet it has received little benefit from its natural resources.
He noted that communities in the state continue to suffer the effects of excess water released from the dams, stressing that such challenges should be considered in the revenue allocation formula.
“We feel shortchanged because Niger State hosts four hydropower dams and has the largest landmass in Nigeria, but we have nothing to show for these contributions.
“We are not asking for too much. We are only seeking fairness, equity and justice through the inclusion of Niger State in the 13.5 per cent derivation formula,” Bago said.
The governor commended the role of RMAFC in promoting stability in Nigeria’s fiscal system and assured the commission of his administration’s support in carrying out its responsibilities.
Speaking during the visit, the leader of the delegation and Federal Commissioner of RMAFC, Henry Awuregu, said the team was in the state to formally inform the governor about the completion of a data verification exercise.
Awuregu explained that the exercise was conducted to review and update information used in determining revenue allocation to states and local government areas across the country.
He described the process as essential to national development, noting that the commission’s allocation framework is based on principles of fairness, equity, equality and justice.
The commissioner added that regular data verification was necessary to capture changes in population, infrastructure development and other realities affecting resource distribution.
He said the outcome of the exercise would have significant implications for the federation and Niger State, assuring that the commission would continue to uphold transparency, professionalism and objectivity in its operations.