Uzodimma seeks fair revenue allocation for Imo

Hope Uzodimma of Imo has called for fairness, transparency and accountability in Nigeria’s revenue allocation system.

Uzodimma made the call on Wednesday while receiving a delegation from the Revenue Mobilisation, Allocation and Fiscal Commission (RMAFC), led by its Chairman, Dr Mohammed Shehu, in Owerri.

Our correspondent reports that the delegation is in the state for an ongoing nationwide data verification exercise.

The governor said Imo had suffered years of economic injustice due to inaccurate crude oil and gas production reports, disputed boundaries and weak regulation.

He described the verification exercise as a timely intervention capable of correcting longstanding distortions in the nation’s revenue-sharing framework.

According to him, Imo remains one of the most hydrocarbon-rich states in the Niger Delta, with substantial crude oil and natural gas reserves.

“However, the state has not received benefits commensurate with its contribution to the national economy due to under-reporting and inaccurate attribution of production figures.

“We have suffered great injustice occasioned by the non-reporting of actual crude oil and gas production from Imo.

“Oil fields located within our local government areas are sometimes attributed to communities in other states,” he said.

Uzodimma said some oil-producing facilities in the state were omitted from official records, depriving Imo of revenue needed for development and welfare.

He urged the commission to ensure the exercise remained transparent, objective and evidence-based.

The governor stressed that accurate data collection was essential to achieving fairness in the allocation of national resources.

He also called for stronger monitoring through modern technology and international best practices in production measurement and verification.

Uzodimma, Chairman of the National Economic Council’s Crude Oil Committee, said Nigeria’s actual oil production might be higher than official figures indicate.

“The country continues to lose enormous revenues due to inefficiencies and weak oversight mechanisms.

“What this country could have become with proper accountability in the oil and gas sector is difficult to imagine,” he said.

He appealed for all crude oil, gas and condensate production from the state to be accurately captured in national records.

“The state seeks only what rightfully belongs to it under the law,” he said.

Uzodimma reaffirmed the state government’s commitment to supporting the commission and pledged full cooperation throughout the exercise.

Earlier, Shehu said he personally chose to visit Imo during the South-East phase of the exercise because of his longstanding relationship with Uzodimma.

He commended the governor’s leadership, describing him as a key figure in the commission’s transformation and growth over the years.

Shehu said the exercise was being conducted simultaneously across the South-East as the fourth phase of a nationwide programme.

He noted that three other geopolitical zones had already completed the exercise.

According to him, the exercise will provide current and verifiable data for reviewing Nigeria’s revenue allocation formula.

“The last exercise of this nature was conducted about ten years ago.

“Since then, population dynamics have changed, infrastructure has expanded and development realities have evolved.

“It is therefore necessary to obtain accurate data that will ensure statutory allocations reflect present realities,” he said.

Shehu assured stakeholders that the exercise would be conducted with professionalism, transparency and objectivity.

He said verification team members were carefully selected and trained to carry out the assignment with integrity.

The chairman thanked the Imo Government for its cooperation, noting that success depended on collaboration with ministries, agencies and local councils.

He added that the outcome would help shape a more equitable and responsive revenue allocation system across the federation.