BY FESTUS AHON

THE Niger Delta Democratic  Union, NDDU, has called on the National Assembly to take urgent step towards reviewing the new Revenue Formula.

NDDU in a statement by its Publicity Director, Mr Franklin Oseya, said; “a new Revenue Formula must reflect true fiscal federalism which ensures that the federating units have the largest share of overall national revenue accrual.

“The current formula which gives the Federal Government 52% of the accruing revenue whilst living the states with 30% is unfavourably skewed against the states and/or regions – the true owners of the resources.

“A new Revenue Formula modeled to reflect true fiscal federalism must give at least 50% revenue accrual to the states.

Continuing, Oseha said in the statement; “States have a lot of financial responsibilities like payment of teachers salaries, health care etc.  The states must thus be ceded more revenue in order to meet and achieve for this country, simple millennia goal such Basic Primary Education, Basic Health Care provisions and improved economic conditions.

“Most states are now finding it difficult to pay the N18, 000 minimum wage because of revenue shortfall which has stretched to the limit, if not completely distorted their monthly wage bill.”.