The National Economic Council, (NEC) on Thursday, gave one week ultimatum to three Northern States and the Federal Capital Territory, (FCT), Abuja to submit their position paper on the proposed creation of State Police.

Governor of Bayelsa State, Duoye Diri, who briefed newsmen at the end of the NEC meeting presided over by Vice President Kashim Shettima, at the Presidential Villa, Abuja, mentioned the three states, Adamawa, Kebbi and Kwara as well as FCT have continued to dilly-dally in the assignment.

Although, it was explained that a deputy governor represented one of the three states during the meeting and announced that the state had submitted its position paper on creation of State Police, the NEC Secretariat, however, could not confirm receiving it.

Governor Diri said the one week deadline was one of the outcomes of the council meeting.

He said, “Council was updated with the submission of the establishment of state police, and it was reported that 33 states have submitted their positions, while three states are yet to do so.

“These three states are Adamawa, Kebbi and, incidentally, Kwara, which is the chairman of our forum, and the FCT, are yet to submit their positions.

“The council mandated these remaining states and FCT to make their submissions within the next one week, and resolved to present a consolidated states’ position on the state police to the National Economic Council at our next meeting”, Governor Diri said.

Recall that in September 4, 2024, NEC had given a deadline to four states including Sokoto, Kebbi, Kwara, Adamawa and the FCT to submit their position papers on state creation before September 9, 2024.

NEC resolved to adopt the comprehensive reports from the 36 states of the federation and the FCT, Abuja on the said date, and warned that any of the four states that refused to submit its report before the deadline, any decision taken would be binding on such state.

The acting governor of Oyo State, Abdulraheen Lawal, who briefed newsmen after the September 4 Council meeting said that the 36 states of the federation were supposed to submit their reports for consideration at the meeting.

He said an update on the establishment of State police was considered as a result of the security challenges across the nation in especially in the Northeast, Northcentral, southwest, Southeast and south-south.

He explained that the essence of that was to ensure that the country has a robust security, adding that it was for that purpose that the NEC sometimes last year, considered the establishment of 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 Northeast, Northcentral, southwest, Southeast and South south so that we would have a robust security in our nation.

“For that purpose, sometimes last year NEC considered the establishment of state police and asked states to make submissions of 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 reused to submit them to make submissions.”

Also, NEC gave the current status of the Excess Crude Account which it said stood at $473,754.57, Stabilization Account, ₦33,324,135,076.39; while Natural Resources Account, ₦26,847,747,854.93.

Minister for Budget and Economic Planning, Atiku Bagudu disclosed that NEC received a presentation by the chairman of the Revenue Mobilization Allocation and Fiscal Commission on the alternative funding of revenue for the Revenue Mobilization, Allocation and Fiscal Commission.

He said NEC noted its critical role in ensuring equity, and the implications. However, disclosed that there is challenge of inadequate funding, which severely constrains its capacity to effectively discharge the duties conferred on it by the Constitution.

“The implications of the under-funding were discussed, and the Council resolved that they appreciated the challenge being faced by the Revenue Mobilization, Allocation and Fiscal Commission, and directed the Secretariat to study the submission as regards to the quantum presented by the Revenue Mobilization, Allocation and Fiscal Commission, as well as the legality of the request.

Bagudu said Council equally discussed a presentation by the Accountant-General of the Federation on the account balances as at 20th of November.

“He said Excess Crude Account stood at $473,754.57; Stabilization Account, ₦33,324,135,076.39; and Natural Resources Account, ₦26,847,747,854.93.”

The Minister disclosed that the Council also ratified the Board for the Nigeria Sovereign Wealth Investment Authority. Equally, the Council received presentation on the financial state of affairs “as well as commended the Board and Management of the Sovereign Wealth Investment Authority.”