By Chesa Chesa
The Federal Government has approved the sum of N13.3 billion for the take-off of Community Policing initiative across the country.
The National Economic Council (NEC) which made the approved at its virtual meeting on Thursday, also resolved that the Chairman of the Nigerian Governors Forum, with two other governors, meet with the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, the Finance Minister and the Inspector General of Police to coordinate the proper utilization of the funding of the initiative.
The NEC meeting was chaired by Vice-President Yemi Osinbajo, with state governors, FCT Minister, CBN Governor and some federal cabinet officials participating, and considered a report of the National Economic Council (NEC) Ad-hoc Committee on Security and Policing, presented by Governor Kayode Fayemi of Ekiti State, who is also the Chairman, Nigeria Governors Forum.
Other reports received by Council at today’s meeting included reports on the COVID-19 pandemic situation in the country; flood disaster risk management in Nigeria for 2020, and the issue of compensation payments regarding Federal Highway projects across the country.
The NCDC report on Covid-19 indicated that the positivity rate had fallen from 19.7% in June to 13.7% in August 2020, while number of states, including the FCT, with testing laboratories increased from 2 to 32.
According to the status report presented to the Council, “the average tests per day has risen from 500 at the onset of the outbreak to 3,500 today, while the daily laboratory testing capacity increased to 10,000.”
Meanwhile, the Minister of Finance, Budget and National Planning reported to Council that the under listed accounts as at 18th August 2020 were as follows:
i. EXCESS CRUDE ACCOUNT (ECA)
Balance as at 18th August 2020 = $72,408,119.44
ii. STABILIZATION FUND ACCOUNT
Balance as at 18th August 2020 = N44, 207, 377,110.34
iii. NATURAL RESOURCES DEVELOPMENT FUND ACCOUNT
Balance as at18th August 2020 = N144, 047, 195, 020.54.
The NEC meeting also received a presentation from the Minister of Humanitarian Affairs, Disaster Management and Social Development, Sadiya Umar Farouq, on the flood disaster risk management in Nigeria for 2020.
The report noted that weather related hazards continue to increase from an annual average of 200 per year between 1993-1997, to 331 per year between 1996-2002.
Studies have already noted that 25% of the world’s landmass and nearly 75% of its population is at risk of flooding.
The Minister then urged States to encourage relevant Federal Ministries, Department and Agencies to take necessary actions in support of the process; and to take proactive and necessary mitigative measures in addressing the envisaged 2020 flood disaster, even in the midst of COVID-19 pandemic.
