The Federal Government is set to deployed directors of revenue from Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs) to 10 Federal Government-owned Enterprises (FGOEs) in-order to fully explore the potentials of these agencies as alternative sources of revenue.
The 10 government-owned enterprises (GOE) named in the first phase of the initiative are Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC), Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA), Nigeria Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA), Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS) and Nigeria Customs Service (NSS).
Others include Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC), Department of Petroleum Resources (DPR), Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) and Nigeria Shippers’ Council (NSC).
At an orientation programme for the Directors of Revenue who are to be deployed to the various GOEs held in Abuja, the Minister of Finance, Budget and National Planning, Mrs Zainab Ahmed said the initiative was in compliance with the Presidential approval that was conveyed through Secretary to the Government of the Federation’s (SGF’s) circular with reference SGF.50/S.3/C.9/24 of 16th October, 2018 on the approved Revenue Performance Management Framework for Government Owned Enterprises (FGOEs).
According to the Minister, the Directors of Revenue are expected to be involved in the revenue operations of the FGOEs, have better understanding of business processes and operations of the FGOEs and cause improved transparency and accountability in revenue reporting by the FGOEs.
Furthermore, they are expected to seek for opportunities and avenues for revenue improvements which is the ultimate aim of the Government.
She revealed that an Integrated Revenue Monitoring System was being put in place to help in monitoring the revenues of the FGOEs online real-time and to ensure its improved transparency and accountability.
In his opening remarks at the programme, the Accountant General of the Federation (AGF), Ahmed Idris FCNA said a Technical Committee was formed to ensure seamless implementation of the deployment of the Directors of Revenue.
“The Committee worked hard and recommended fifty Treasury officers at Directorate level across various MDAs for this programme and ten will be deployed to the selected FGOEs”, he said.
Idris reiterated that the vision of the initiative was to achieve transparency and accountability of Government revenue with special focus on FGOEs, improved revenue performance and ultimately to provide sustainable source of funding for Government budget execution.
He reminded the Directors of Revenue that they are ambassadors of the Treasury in the FGOEs, thus they should demonstrate highest level of professionalism and integrity in the discharge of this onerous task, consistent with the highest standard of service delivery.
