Shettima, governors present as NEC holds 141st meeting
Vice President Kashim Shettima is currently presiding over the 141st session of the National Economic Council at the Presidential Villa, Abuja.
Some state governors and deputies are seated for the meeting.
NEC was established by the provisions of section 153(1) and Paragraphs 18 & 19 of part I of the Third Schedule of the 1999 Constitution (as amended).
Its membership comprises the 36 state governors, the Governor of the Central Bank, and other co-opted government officials.
Chaired by the Vice President, the council meets monthly to execute its mandate of “advising the President concerning the economic affairs of the Federation, and in particular on measures necessary for the coordination of the economic planning efforts or economic programmes of the various Governments of the Federation.”
At its 140th meeting on March 21, the council received reports from 16 state governors expressing their support for establishing state police.
They also recommended changes to the constitution to allow for smooth establishment.
The spokesperson for the Vice President, Mr Stanley Nkwocha, had revealed that NEC was still awaiting reports from 20 states, expressing confidence that others would support.
The Director-General of the Nigeria Governors’ Forum, Asishana Okauru, who spoke in an exclusive interview with Sunday PUNCH said the decisions of the remaining 20 state governors were expected to be submitted in the weeks leading up to Thursday’s meeting.
