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A leaked document from the Federal Account Allocation Committee (FAAC) meeting has exposed a significant gap in government revenue collection. The document alleges that unnamed revenue-generating agencies owe the Federal Government over N3 trillion (around $7.2 billion) as of April 2024.
The Vice President of the Post-Mortem Sub-committee representing the committee Chairman, Kabir Mashi, at the meeting, said the outstanding amounts were still being reconciled with the relevant agencies at the monthly reconciliation meeting.
The minute read in part, “Outstanding Federation Account Revenue Arising from Inter-Agencies Reconciliation Meeting Held in April 2024: The Vice Chairman, PMSC reported that the total unresolved amount due to the Federation Account from the reconciliation meeting held with the Revenue Generating Agencies in April 2024 was $36,329,376.24 and N2,977,561,881,021.29.”
This revelation raises serious concerns about the efficiency and transparency of government revenue collection. The FAAC, which is responsible for disbursing federal revenue to the national and state governments, could face a substantial shortfall in its allocations due to the outstanding debts.
The report does not specify which agencies are responsible for the unremitted funds. However, it highlights a longstanding issue in Nigeria – the lack of accountability within some revenue-generating bodies. Critics point to a culture of inefficiency and potential corruption within these agencies, leading to shortfalls in government coffers.
The N3 trillion debt comes at a critical time for Nigeria. The nation is grappling with a weak economy, rising inflation, and significant security challenges. The missing revenue could have a severe impact on the government’s ability to fund essential services like infrastructure development, education, and healthcare.