Jun 18, 2013

Look beyond oil and gas – Revenue Commission urges all levels of government


The Revenue Mobilization Allocation and Fiscal Commission has urged all levels of Government in the country to look beyond oil and gas by embracing economic diversification to boost revenue generation and reduce the continued over dependence on revenue from the oil and gas sector.


Engr. Elias Mbam, the Chairman of the Commission made this call in Abakaliki during a courtesy call on the Governor of Ebonyi State, Martin Elechi before the kick-off of Zonal Advocacy Workshop on Economic Diversification and Enhanced Revenue Generation for the South-East Zone which was starting in Abakaliki, Ebonyi State.

Mbam explained that the purpose of the workshop was to sensitize governments at all levels and other critical stakeholders on the urgent need to broaden the economic base of the nation by diversifying the sources of revenue in order to meet the increasing expenditure requirements of governance and development.

He also noted that the move has become imperative in view of the fact that hydrocarbon resources are exhaustible, non-renewable and subject to price volatility due to instability in the international system.

He further enthused, “since USA and China are continuously exploring alternative sources of energy, governments at all levels must look beyond oil by developing all the necessary infrastructure that will support the growth of non-oil sector like agriculture, manufacturing, solid minerals and tourism.

While responding, Governor Elechi urged all critical stakeholders  to closely and carefully examine the factors that inhibit the development  of  the non-oil sector and contribute to the near total neglect of the sector with a view to proffering long lasting solutions.

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