Harry Awurumibe, State House, ABUJA
The National Economic Council (NEC) is proposing a budget of one hundred billion naira (N100b) for the anticipated take off of the National Livestock Transformation Plan that will help end the rift between crop and livestock farmers. This was part of the decisions reached at the NEC meeting presided over by the Vice President, Professor Yemi Osibanjo at Presidential Villa Abuja today. Announcing this to State House Correspondents after their deliberation, Ebonyi State Governor, Dave Umahi, stressed that the programme is voluntary, adding that each state is free to determine the kind of livestocks to rear. Governor Umahi, who is Chairman of the Sub-Committee on National Livestock Transformation Plan, said NEC also recommended that Nigeria should review the ECOWAS Protocol on Free Movement of persons, animals and goods. He added that no date was fixed for the take off of the plan. Also at the briefing, Edo State Governor, Godwin Obaseki said NEC frowned at the continued loss of crude oil revenue, due to theft and illegal bunkering. According to him over 22 million barrels of crude valued at one- point-three-five-billion-dollars ($1.3b) was lost in the first quarter of this year. He said for this reason, NEC has therefore recommended the review of the governing structure, so as to ensure accountability for the loses. “Similarly, NEC has asked for the setting up of Special Courts to.prosecute offenders to curb the illicit acts. NEC has also proposed to NNPC to work with the National Intelligence Agency (NIA) to identify the market for stolen crude, Obaseki said. In his own brief, Gombe State Governor, Inuwa Yahaya told State House Correspondents that Abia, Enugu, Kaduna and four other states have improved in the ease of doing business.He added that NEC sought clarification on the newly constituted National Economic Council.
