PRESIDENT Goodluck Jonathan has approved the release of $1 billion from the Excess Crude Account to the 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), to assist them in the implementation of development projects in line with the transformation agenda of the government.
Rising from the 45th National Economic Council (NEC) meeting presided over by Vice-President Namadi Sambo, at the State House, Abuja, on Tuesday, the chairman, Nigerian Governor’s Forum and Rivers State governor, Rotimi Amaechi, informed correspondents that the approval was conveyed to the council by the Minister of State for Finance, Dr Yerima Ngama.
According to Amaechi, the minister, in his brief to the council, said the Excess Crude Account had a total balance of $9.242 billion, after $1 billion had been spent on subsidy payments.
Meanwhile, the council has urged states to embrace the activites of the National Agency for Prohibition of Traffic in Persons and Other Related Matters (NAPTIP).
Also speaking, Abia State governor, Theodore Orji, said the council considered a report presented by the National Planning Minister and chairman of the ad hoc committee, Dr Shamsuddeen Usman, recommending ways to combat human trafficking.
The recommendations include the development and effective implementation of state level trafficking in persons plans of action, the development and strengthening of the states social welfare system’s for child protection and the provision of basic needs, including medical care, educational, vocational and recreational facilities for victims of trafficking.
Others, according to the governor, were the mobilisation and provision of support for civil society organisations working to combat trafficking and related issues.
The governor added that the council adopted the recommendations and directed the Minister of National Planning and the Attorney-General and Minister of Justice, alongside the Chief Executive of NAPTIP to liaise with the states towards ensuring better collaboration in addressing the situation.
The council recommended that Abia, Kogi and Ogun states should be treated as pilot cases in the bid to combat the societal scourge.
The council, it was learnt, also received briefing from the president of the Manufacturers Association of Nigeria (MAN), Chief Kola Jamodu, on multiple taxation across the country at various levels and its effects on the productivity of the manufacturing sector.
Jamodu told newsmen that in its presentation, MAN had many prayers, including reduction in stamp duty, VAT, exemption on some raw materials, harmonisation of taxes and levies within the three tiers of government.
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