By Cross Udo, Abuja
Yesterday, indications emerged that the Federal Government may approve the creation of State Police for some States seriously affected by insecurity in the country.
The indication became apparent after the National Economic Council (NEC) gave a Monday, September 9 deadline to four states that had yet to submit reports from their states on the establishment of state police.
On Monday, NEC also resolved to adopt the comprehensive reports from the 36 states of the federation and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Abuja.
It warned that any of the four states that refused to submit its report before the deadline would abide by the decision taken.
This came as the Federal Government released N3bn to states affected by the ravaging flood in the country.
Briefing State House correspondents at the end of the NEC meeting presided over by Vice President Kashim Shettima at the Council Chamber, Presidential Villa, Abuja, the acting governor of Oyo State, Abdulraheen Lawal, said that the 36 states of the federation were supposed to submit their reports for consideration at the meeting.
*National Economic Council to consider comprehensive report from 32 states and FCT
He said an update on establishing state police was considered due to the national security challenges, especially in the North-East, North-Central, South-West, South-East and South-South.
He explained that the essence of that was to ensure robust security in the country, adding that it was for that purpose that the NEC, sometime last year, considered establishing state police and asked states to make submissions of considerations.
He said, “An update on the establishment of State police was considered and this was as a result of the security challenges that we have across the nation, in North-East, North-Central, South-West, South-East and South-South so that we would have a robust security in our country.
“For that purpose, sometime last year, NEC considered the establishment of state police and asked states to submit their considerations.
“Today (Wednesday), all the states were supposed to submit for consideration of NEC. Incidentally, four states couldn’t submit, and for that purpose, NEC decided that those states must make their submissions on or before Monday next week; otherwise, whatever decision next date on the establishment of State Police will be binding on those states that refused to submit them to make submissions. So that is the resolution as of today’s NEC meeting.”
*Gives four states September 9 deadline to declare position on proposal
Although he refused to mention the names of the four states yet to submit their reports, a source privy to the meeting named them Adamawa, Kwara, Sokoto, Kebbi states, and the Federal Capital Territory, FCT.
The source, however, said that one of the four states claimed to have already made its own submission.
*FG releases N3bn to states affected by flooding
Also briefing, the Governor of Bauchi, Bala Mohammed, said NEC discussed exhaustively the flood situation across the states and that the governors acknowledged the support of the Federal GGovernment in terms of releasing N3bn as a measure to ensure that they provide a palliative for the flood.
He said, “The flood was more devastating along the Northeast axis, where a major artery between Kano and Maiduguri was cut off, with devastating effects on households, schools, bridges, and other means of livelihood. Lives were lost, and many properties were also destroyed.
“Of course, that has provided a big challenge to us as a government and as a people in our states because we need to provide more food security. Already, farmlands are submerged, and therefore, there’s a need for collaboration between all the tiers of government to ensure food security.”
Governor Mohammed said that harvest this year would not be as expected because of the menace of flood.
He said, “There is a need for planning, collaboration, and interaction during harvest time because the bumper harvest may not be as envisaged. So, the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and all our subnational ministries are supposed to collaborate and ensure that something comprehensive is done.
“I know there has been a lot of devastation, and we have been asked to give an inventory of destruction before Monday. But other measures of governance in terms of governance structure have been established by the council.”
Corroborating what his counterpart said, the Nasarawa State governor, Abdullahi Sule, said the council established a governance structure to ensure the interventions would not be Ad Hoc.
He said, “The Flood committee has to be reconstituted, and the new members of the councils are governors of Kogi, Bayelsa, Oyo, Ebonyi, Bauchi, and Jigawa states.
“Others are Minister of Water of Resources, minister of state Water of Resources, Minister of State for Environment, DG Nigeria Sovereignty Investment Authority (NSIA), DG NIMET, DG NWRI, MD/CEO NIWA, MD if NNDC, MD NEDC, and DG NEMA.
“The council has decided that Monday will be the deadline for all the states of the Federation to submit details of damages, including farms, schools, and barges that have been affected by the last flood, and Mr Chairman mentioned it will be taking into consideration for appropriate support to the various states.
“So these are the new robust membership of the flood committee that will continue to address council henceforth.”
