Senate Confirms RMAFC Nominees

ABUJA, Nov 23, (THEWILL) - The Senate today approved the nominees for the Revenue Mobilization, Allocation and Fiscal Commission (RMAFC). The new Chairman of the revenue sharing commission is Engr. Elias Mbam who was confirmed alongside 20 others.

However, only 21 of the 23 nominees got the nod of Senators, while two nominees were dropped to allow for further consultations.

The confirmation followed the approval of the report of the Senate Committee on National Planning, Economic Affairs and Poverty Alleviation that screened the nominees whose list was sent to the Senate by President Goodluck Jonathan in September.

Other members of the commission whose nominations were confirmed are: Senator Emmanuel Ibok Essien representing Akwa Ibom; Mr Ekweogwu Osita, Anambra; Hon Aondona Sngev, Benue; Chief Okeagu Ogada, Ebonyi; Chief Pius Akpabior, Edo; Mr. Popoola Afolabi, Ekiti; Engr. Perez Bussa, FCT; and Ambassador Saidu Mohammed, Gombe.

Others includes, Alhaji Adamu Mohammed, Jigawa; Mr. Bulus James, Kaduna; Engr. Bala Borodo, Kano; Tukur Jikamshi, Katsina; Ignatius Amodu, Kogi, Alhaja Salamatu Gobir, Kwara; Olufunmilayo Otegbola, Ogun; Otunba Oladeji Ariyibi, Osun; Ademola Sina, Oyo; Yusuf Pam, Plateau; Isa Geidam, Yobe and Muhammed Maradun, Zamfara.

The Senate however deferred the confirmation of the appointment of two nominees pending what it called "a little more legislative action" on them. The two are: Senator Chris Adighije from Abia and Mr. Umeh Odika from Enugu.

Adighije's nomination was put on hold at the instance of Senate President David Mark who told Senators that he has an issue to clarify on his nomination. In the same vein, the Enugu State Caucus in the Senate led by Deputy Senate President Ike Ekweremadu pleaded that confirmation of Odika's nomination be suspended "because we are still having issues with the nomination."

In his remark after the confirmation, Senate President David Mark urged the new Chairman and members of RMAFC, which he described as "very important commission" to take their jobs very seriously, as their action would have far reaching effects on the nation's economy and the lives of Nigerians.