The Senate has referred President Muhammadu Buhari’s request to confirm Engr. Elias Mbam and 29 other nominees as Chairman and Members of the Revenue Mobilization Allocation and Fiscal Commission (RMAFC) to its Committee on National Planning for further scrutiny.
Under paragraph 31 and 32 of the Third Schedule, Part 1 of the 1999 Constitution (as amended), RMAFC which is composed of a Chairman, members from all the 36 States of the Federation and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) advises Federal and State governments on fiscal efficiency and the remuneration for political office holders. However, despite its importance, the body has been unable to sit or take any decision in relation to its mandate over the last three years as its current membership of seven Commissioners falls below the 13 Member quorum constitutionally required for decisions to be taken.
Other important nominations expected to be considered by the Senate include Hon.Abike Dabiri-Erewa’s proposed nomination as the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) and Chairman of the Nigeria Diaspora Commission. While the Senate Committee on Diaspora and NGO’s laid its recommendations on Hon. Erewa, a former Member and journalist at its plenary on 20th March, 2019, the Report is expected to be considered at the National Assembly’s reconvening in April.