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

Governor Douye Diri of Bayelsa said this on Thursday while briefing journalists at the end of the NEC meeting chaired by Vice President Kashim Shettima at the Presidential Villa, Abuja.

Mr Diri explained that the council was updated on the establishment of the state police, and it was reported that 33 states had submitted their positions.

He 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, Governor Hope Uzodima of Imo said the council 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. And the projects in these states are at various stages of completion. Impressed by the programme, phase two is about to start.”

Mr Uzodimma said the council resolved that all the states 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.”

Similarly, the governor said the council received a presentation from the National Agency for Science and Engineering Infrastructure (NASENI).

” They presented various initiatives of the agency in agriculture, science, and technology and proposed partnerships with sub-national governments on the establishment and improvement of Solar Power, Rural Electrification and some other industries.

” 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,” he said.

Mr Uzodimma, therefore, said the council urged NASENI to help state governments repair broken-down tractors.

(NAN)