Gov. Nwifuru seeks data update, disaster fund for Ebonyi

by · The Eagle Online

Governor Francis Nwifuru has appealed to the Federal Government to enlist Ebonyi State among priority beneficiaries of the Natural Disaster Fund, citing recurring damage from windstorms, flooding, and environmental degradation caused by mining activities.

Nwifuru said this when he received a data verification team from the Revenue Mobilisation, Allocation and Fiscal Commission (RMAFC).

The team, received at the Government House, Abakaliki, was led by Commissioner Henry Awuregu.

It is in Ebonyi State for the 2026 National Data Verification Exercise being conducted across all states. 

Briefing the team, Nwifuru said Ebonyi State faces repeated natural disasters that strain state finances. 

He said: “A lot of disasters have happened in this state. 

“Just recently, wind and thunderstorms damaged almost all the building roofs inside this Government House. 

“It is costing us huge resources to rebuild.”

Nwifuru added that abandoned mining pits have worsened environmental hazards, yet the state receives no mining revenue since licences are issued by the Federal Government and not the state.

“This is why we are asking for the Natural Disaster Fund,” the governor stressed.

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He noted that outdated data leads to inequitable revenue allocation. 

He expressed confidence in the RMAFC team’s competence and urged them to update indices to reflect current realities.

He said: “The confidence I have in the Commission is evident in the quality of people here. 

“It will make sense if the already collected data which are no longer feasible are updated and analysed to reflect present-day realities.”

He expressed optimism that accurate verification would improve Ebonyi State’s share of federal allocation.

Awuregu explained that revenue allocation in Nigeria is based on indices meant to ensure fairness and justice. 

He said the verification exercise is necessary because population, infrastructure and developmental gaps shift over time.

“The Commission deems it necessary to periodically validate the integrity and accuracy of the data that will ultimately inform the distribution of revenue across the federation,” he said.

He commended Nwifuru for “giant developmental achievements” despite Ebonyi State ranking 33rd out of the 36 states in federal allocation.

He said: “Your Excellency, we have moved round and seen your great transformation in the state. 

“We commend your prudence for achieving all these with minimal allocation.”

The governor received the team alongside the Deputy Governor, Princess Patricia Obila; Secretary to the State Government (SSG), Prof. Grace Umezurike; Chairman of the Association of Local Governments of Nigeria (ALGPN), Chinedu Uburu; State Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Stanley Okoro Emegha; and members of the State Executive Council (SEC).

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