* 20 States yet to submit reports, VP Shettima said
The Federal Government, through the National Economic Council (NEC), on Thursday charged State Governors to hasten their presentations on the modalities for establishing State Police, which all 36 State Governments have already agreed to.
The charge came via the Chairman of the NEC, Vice-President Kashim Shettima, at the Council’s 140th meeting which he presided over virtually, from the Aso Rock Villa, on Thursday.
According to a statement issued by Stanley Nkwocha, spokesman of the Vice-President, the Secretary to NEC made a presentation disclosing that reports have been received by 16 states on the establishment of State police while 20 states are yet to send in any report.
The statement highlighted that: “All states across the country expressed their support for the establishment of state police.
“States recommended changes in the constitution and the current policing structure to enable the operationalization of the initiative.
“While noting the presentation, the Vice-President observed that the rate of submissions by States was not impressive and urged States yet to make inputs to expedite action to enable robust deliberations on the subject-matter at the next Council meeting.”
The Council was also updated on the status of the nation’s Excess crude account (ECA) which now stands at $473,754.57; Stabilization Account (₦ 33,808,342,662.88) and Current Balance of Natural Resources (₦113,925,600,918.68).
The outstanding liabilities of States and FCT concerning the Budget Support Facility extended to them, a as calculated by the Office of the Accountant-General Of The Federation, stand at a total of N1,718,705,566,436.25 as at March 2024.
Meanwhile, the NEC endorsed the implementation of the $617.7 million Investment in Digital and Creative Enterprises (i-DICE) programme in the 36 states of the federation and the FCT.
Vice President Kashim Shettima declared the firm resolve of the renewed hope administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to leave a legacy of prosperity and opportunity for all Nigerians.
He told State Governors to nominate persons to represent each geo-political zone at the zonal level and focal persons to lead the implementation of the programme in their respective states, which he said would be “diligent, committed and forthright”.
Shettima further assured that the administration would not rest on its oars until the citizens begin to bask in the opportunities they were promised, noting that it is the reason why the government is prioritizing skill acquisition and job creation.
Executive Director in charge of SMES at the Bank of Industry, Mr Shekarau Omar said the i-DICE programme, explained that the programme is in support of government’s agenda to create more sustainable jobs, diversify the economy and equip digital and creative incubation hubs/innovation centers across the country.
He listed African Development Bank (AfDB), the French Development Agency (AFD) and the Islamic Development Bank (IsDB) among organisations that will fund the programme, giving a breakdown of how the funds will be sourced as follows: AfDB, $170million; IsDB, $70 million; AFD, $116 million; Bank of Industry (BoI) on behalf of federal government of Nigeria (FGN), $45.50 million; Fund Manager (For Equity Fund only), $8.70 million, and private investors, $205 million.
On the impact of the programme, Mr Omar said 1,269,757 youths will be trained and certified in ICT skills, with at least 25,000 youths trained in each state of the federation and the FCT.
He noted that while at least 100,000 jobs will be created per state, about 5,581,231 indirect jobs will be created through i-DICE interventions nationwide.
