By Our Correspondent
The Anambra State Government has sought ₦70 billion from the Revenue Mobilisation, Allocation and Fiscal Commission (RMAFC) to tackle insecurity, erosion, infrastructure deficits and rising public service costs.
The commission has commenced a technical review of the request, which covers security, environmental management, healthcare, education, agriculture, solid minerals and tourism.
RMAFC’s spokesperson, Marian Yusuf, disclosed this in a statement issued in Abuja on Tuesday.
Presenting the request at the commission’s headquarters, the Secretary to the Anambra State Government (SSG), Chiamaka Nnake, said the proposed funding would help protect lives and livelihoods, restore investor confidence and accelerate economic growth.
Nnake said Anambra, with 21 local government areas and 179 communities, had an estimated population of 8.9 million, a Gross Domestic Product (GDP) of about $12.7 billion and a projected 2026 budget of ₦766 billion.
She disclosed that the state had increased its internally generated revenue from about ₦2.2 billion to ₦7.2 billion but continued to face significant fiscal pressures arising from insecurity, erosion, flooding, inflation and rising public service costs.
According to her, sit-at-home orders and restrictions on movement had disrupted commercial activities, reduced government revenue and weakened investor confidence.
On security, Nnake said the state had enacted a Homeland Security Law, established a security outfit and strengthened joint security operations.
She explained that the proposed funding would support the procurement of operational vehicles, surveillance and communication equipment, personnel training and improved coordination among security agencies.
The SSG also disclosed that Anambra had more than 1,000 erosion sites affecting 146 communities to varying degrees, adding that about ₦170 billion would be required to address identified critical sites.
She said ongoing and proposed interventions included erosion control, flood management, road rehabilitation, land reclamation and waterway clearance.
Nnake appealed for additional resources to protect communities and critical infrastructure from the effects of erosion and flooding.
On healthcare, she highlighted the state’s free antenatal care and delivery programme, which she said had supported more than 206,000 deliveries, including 642 Caesarean sections, at no cost to beneficiaries.
She added that the state government had recruited 8,415 teachers and introduced free education from nursery to Senior Secondary School Three, increasing demand for personnel, equipment and other essential services.
On economic diversification, Nnake said Anambra had distributed more than 2.3 million coconut and oil-palm seedlings.
She called for investments in processing facilities, storage, irrigation and market access to boost agricultural productivity, reduce post-harvest losses and create jobs.
She also identified mineral resources, including kaolin, bentonite, lignite, silica sand, gypsum and laterite, as well as tourism attractions such as Agulu Lake, as opportunities for investment and revenue generation.
Nnake said the proposed ₦70 billion would complement existing government investments, sustain essential services, attract private capital and support the development of a more diversified and resilient economy.
Responding, the chairman of the committee and Commissioner representing Lagos State, Prof. Olusegun Adekunle Wright, said the Stabilisation Fund was designed to provide assistance in deserving circumstances, subject to established guidelines, available resources and the necessary approvals.
He stressed that the technical review did not amount to approval of Anambra’s request.
Wright said the commission would scrutinise the state’s financial records, project costs, feasibility, implementation requirements and expected socioeconomic benefits before making recommendations.
He added that any recommendation would depend on the verification of supporting financial documents, project feasibility, estimated costs and expected benefits, while final consideration would follow the commission’s established approval procedures.
The Commissioner representing Anambra State, Dr. Enefe Ekene, said observations made during the session would help the state strengthen its presentation ahead of a proposed on-the-spot assessment.
