The Revenue Mobilisation Allocation and Fiscal Commission (RMAFC) on Thursday said the presidential system of government was draining the nation’s economy.

It also called for the abolition of laws that allow government agencies to spend or retain part of the revenue they generated so that the earnings could be remitted into the Federation Account.

The RMAFC Chairman, Elias Mbam, who stated these when he appeared before the 2014 National Conference Committee on Public Finance also called for the establishment of inter-agency committee to advise President Goodluck Jonathan on waivers.

The committee, he said, should involve the Ministry of Finance, Ministry of Trade and Investment and RMAFC.

Mbam said, “The presidential system of government is much more expensive than parliamentary system of government as practised in the First Republic.

“This is characterised by large executive cabinet consisting of personal assistants, special advisers, senior special advisers and large legislative set up on full time basis.”

He recommended that the Federal and state governments should avoid the duplication of appointment of political office holders.

Also, the Committee on Political Restructuring and Forms of Government has backed the agitation for the creation of one more state in the South-East in the interest of justice and fair play.

The committee headed by Gen. Ike Nwachukwu (retd.) unanimously agreed that with the creation of an additional state in the South-East, every Nigerian would have a sense of belonging.

They also agreed that every other region agitating for the creation of more states should get it on the basis of merit.

Senator Femi Okurounmu, while making his comment, said there should be creation of more states to meet growing demands.

According to him, there should be the same number of states in every zone in the spirit of fairness.

He, however, warned delegates to be careful in order to avoid the abuse of the process.

Another delegate, Binta Garba, advocated for the creation of Saudana State in the North and gave nod to the creation of an additional state in the South-East in the spirit of fairness.

Chief Benjamin Elue from Delta State while supporting the call for the creation of an additional state in the South-East, begged delegates to consider the long agitation of the Igbo-speaking people in his state for their own state. – Punch.