Dec 12, 2012

Under pressure from Boko Haram, kidnappers, FG endorses militias in states


Following unrelenting onslaught from the Boko Haram and kidnappers across the country, the National Economic Council (NEC) on Tuesday in Abuja endorsed the establishment of security outfits in states to enhance the security of people’s lives and property across the country.

Gov. Kayode Fayemi of Ekiti made this known, while briefing State House correspondents on the outcome of the monthly NEC meeting, which was presided over by Vice-President Namadi Sambo.

He said that such security outfits like vigilance groups should be equipped with tracking equipment to support their operations.

He also said that the council directed state governments to provide grazing lands, as part of measures to address the menace of recurring disputes between farmers and herdsmen across the country.

Mr. Fayemi said that the council also discussed the state of federal roads across the country and pledged that the funds which state governments expended on the roads’ reconstruction and rehabilitation would be refunded.

Besides, the governor said that the council directed state commissioners of finance to liaise with the Federal Ministry of Finance on the guidelines put in place for borrowing funds.

Also speaking, Gov. Martin Elechi of Ebonyi said that the council endorsed the celebration of the Nigerian Centenary in 2014.

He said that the council resolved that the governors should prepare their input into the programme before the end of the year.

Similarly, the Deputy Governor of Sokoto State, Muktar Shagari, said that the council had approved the setting up of a committee to tackle the problem of multiple taxation on the establishment of Broadband and ICT Infrastructure.

He said that the National Broadband would enhance economic and social life in Nigeria, while boosting productivity in the ICT sector and enhancing security

Mr. Shagari said that the committee, which would be chaired by Gov. Ibrahim Dankwambo of Gombe State, had the governors of Kwara, Kebbi, Abia, Edo and Oyo states as members.

The Minister of Communications, the Vice-Chairman of the Nigerian Communications Commission, representatives of Federal Inland Revenue Service and four members from each of the country’s telecommunications operators will also serve in the committee.

The committee is expected to submit its report during the second NEC meeting in 2013.

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