Benue State governor, Samuel Ortom, on Wednesday, decried the lack of progress in the economic diversification drive of the Federal Government, describing the situation as unhealthy for the economic development of the country.
He stated this at the Benue People’s House, Makurdi while receiving a team from the Revenue Mobilisation, Allocation and Fiscal Commission( RMAFC) led by Alhaji Shuaibu Abdullahi Yaman.
Governor Ortom, who was represented by his deputy, Engr. Benson Abounu, expressed dismay that despite several pronouncements by the government, the diversification of the economy has remained an illusion.
He stated that in diversifying the economy, attention must be given to the security situation in the country, adding that the insecurity has greatly hampered the development of agriculture, a key driver of the diversification process.
According to him, frequent attacks by Fulani herdsmen militia on Benue farmers has greatly slowed down the state’s move towards agricultural mechanisation.
He noted that before the attacks on Benue farmers, the state was exporting yams to the United States of America in 2016, adding that the situation today has changed as many farmers no longer access their farms.
“Nigerians must rise up and take action against the AK-47 wielding Fulani herdsmen militia that have entered into the country from neighbouring countries to cause mayhem, warning that if nothing is done, the country might slide into another civil war.
“I therefore call on the RMAFC to overhaul the distribution of the nation’s commonwealth to favour the states and local governments, adding that it was wrong for the federal government with limited responsibilities to be taking over 52% of the nation’s revenue, while the states and local governments, which have more responsibilities and where the people reside are made to share what remains, after taking away derivation.
” if the nation’s quest for economic diversification is to succeed, we must deal with the issue of multiple taxation, which is killing many industries”, Ortom said.
Speaking earlier, leader of the delegation, Alhaji Abdullahi Yaman, said they were in the state to assess the progress if any, that Benue State had made in the diversification of the economy.
He explained that the Constitution mandates the Commission to advise federal and state governments on fiscal efficiency and means by which their revenue can be increased, adding that expanding the sources of revenue in the context of a mono-product economy calls for diversification of the economy.
Yaman urged government to gear up its internally generated revenue.
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