The Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) has proffered what it believes would be the best fiscal policy and how best to harness the revenue that accrues to the nation.
The organisation made its views known in a memorandum submitted during the just ended Committee on the Review of the 1999 Constitution on zonal public hearing of the House of Representatives, noting that lack of genuine fiscal federation was part of Nigeria’s problems.
“We at CAN have observed with concern the negative impacts of the seeming lack of genuine fiscal federation in Nigeria, particularly as it pertains to accelerating and sustaining integrated national development, growth and sustainable development in all spheres of our national life through healthy competition, mutually benefiting interactions and dependence amongst the constituent entities of the Nigerian-state.”
The CAN said zones should be allowed to control revenue from the economic resources in their enclave and remit a percentage of the revenue to the federation.
It suggested that the revenue allocation and sharing formula should be guided by the principles of sustenance and benefits to sources of derivation, that is, 70% retained by regions while 30% will be for the government at the centre.
CAN also suggested that the remaining 70% revenue for the regions should be shared among communities, local governments, states and the regions which is, 10%, 13%, 25% and 22% respectively.
The organisation equally suggested that the cost of governance should be reduced as it concerns public service size, remuneration and allowances of public officers such as legislators.
CAN suggested that states and regional governments should be allowed to have jurisdiction over agriculture, land and legislative listing that reflects such.
