By Johnbosco Agbakwuru, ABUJA
Majority of the 36 state governors have endorsed the creation of state police in the country, Governor Uba Sani of Kaduna State has said.
This is just as the National Economic Council, NEC, has scheduled to consider the submissions by the state governors on the creation of state police in January next year.
Briefing journalists at the end of the NEC meeting presided over by the Vice President, Senator Kashim Shettima, at the Council Chamber, Presidential Villa, Abuja, Governor Sani explained that majority of state governors were in agreement with the creation of state police because of the security challenges in their various states
The governor also disclosed that it was only the Federal Capital Territory, FCT, that was yet to make submission on the matter
He said: “Today (yesterday), one of the discussions we had at the NEC meeting was the update on the creation of state police.
“As you are aware, there was a submission by states toward the establishment of state police.
“Today, about 36 states have already made their submission for establishing state police in Nigeria. And I can say here that from what is available, virtually most of the states are in agreement with the establishment of state police in Nigeria.
“But today, the council decided to step down the discussion until the next council meeting, because we need to come up with a report from the secretariat.
“And after the report, there will be deliberation at the next NEC meeting that is likely taking place in January.
“And not only that, there’s also a resolution in the last NEC meeting, which today the Secretariat has also agreed on, that there will be further stakeholder engagement after the panel and deliberation by the members of the NEC.
“So, all we are saying here is that 35 states have made their own submission, and many states are in agreement for the establishment of state police, considering the fact that virtually every state has their peculiarity in terms of the problem of insecurity.
Soludo
On his part, Governor Chukwuma Soludo of Anambra State said that NEC approved 0.05% from non-oil federation revenue based on the proposed tax reform to fund the Revenue Mobilisation Allocation and Fiscal Commission, RMAFC.
He said: “Among the issues discussed at today’s NEC was also the presentation of a report in respect of an earlier presentation by the chairman of the Revenue Mobilization, Allocation and Fiscal Commission to NEC on the 21st of November.
“And seeking essentially revised or repeal the existing Act of Parliament establishing the commission and to replace it with a new one, and then also seeking for revision. I mean a review about alternative funding to the institution.
“So the report elaborately noted the very onerous responsibilities of RMAFC and as a very, very beautiful institution in the functioning of federation, and noted the inadequate funding for this institution to be able to perform its tasks.
“And then also noted the draft repeal and replace legislation that was also pending And after deliberating,this, the council noted thus and approved as follows. First is that RMAFC Should forward the draft bill to the National Assembly for consideration and passage into law.
“And second, the council also approved the recommendation for improved funding for RMAFC and approved that the commission be funded with 0.05% non oil federation revenue based on the proposed tax reforms and subjected to further scrutiny by the National Assembly.”
Vanguard
