The National Economic Council (NEC) has directed Kwara, Adamawa, and Kebbi States and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) to submit their positions on the proposed establishment of the State Police within one week.

Bayelsa State Governor Douye Diri disclosed this while briefing newsmen at the end of the NEC meeting chaired by Vice President Kashim Shettima at the Presidential Villa in Abuja on Thursday, November 21, 2024.

Diri said the council was updated on the establishment of state police and it was reported that 33 states have submitted their positions.

The governor said: “While three states are yet to do so. These three states are Adamawa, Kebbi, and incidentally Kwara, which the state of our Chairman of the Nigeria Governors’ Forum and the FCT are yet to submit their position.

“The council mandated these remaining states and FCT to make their submission within the next one week and reserved to present a consolidated state position on the state police to the National Economic Council at our next meeting.”

On his part, Imo State Governor Hope Uzodimma said NEC also received a presentation from the National Coordinator of the Special Agro Industrial Processing Zone (SAIPZ).

He said: “Of course, you will recall that this is a special agricultural programme by the federal government and the African Development Bank.

“The pilot states are Kano, Kaduna, Kwara, Oyo, Ogun, Imo, Cross River, and the FCT, under phase one.

Insecurity: No going back on State Police – Jonathan

“And the projects in these states are at various stages of completion. Impressed by the programme, phase two is about to start.

“Two weeks ago, there was a stakeholders’ meeting that brought an additional 21 states.”

Uzodimma stated that the council resolved that all the states of the federation should key into the programme, saying: “This programme is going to be a game changer.

“And it will help in tackling the food security drive of the federal government.”

The governor added that the council also received a presentation from the National Agency for Science and Engineering Infrastructure (NASENI).

He said: “They presented various initiatives of the agency; in agriculture, science, and technology, and proposed partnership with sub-national governments on the establishment and improvement of Solar Power, Rural Electrification and some other industries.

“The agency wants to support manufacturing, seaport development and they are also going to make land accessible, encourage the public sector market and general infrastructure.

“As a matter of fact, they came up with different initiatives, repairing agro equipment and implementing, repairing and manufacturing tractors to be powered by solar.”

The Star