By Ahmed Idris
The National Economic Council (NEC) on Thursday set up a 10-man Working Committee to address killings as a result of constant clash between herdsmen and farmers in some parts of the country.
Governor Abdullahi Umar Ganduje of Kano state, who disclosed this at the end of the council meeting in Abuja, said the committee would be chaired by Vice President Yemi Osinbajo who is also the chairman of NEC.
Ganduje said the committee has governors of Kaduna, Zamfara, Taraba, Benue, Adamawa, Edo, Plateau, Oyo and Ebonyi states as members, stressing that the committee would collaborate with the federal government in addressing impunity regarding killings and violence in the country.
He said the committee would ensure that all the perpetrators of violence are brought to book.
Also speaking, Governor Dave Umahi of Ebonyi state said NEC also approved the resolution of the 59th National Council on Health that at least between point five per cent and one per cent of the monthly allocation to states be earmarked for financing the implementation of the HIV/AIDS sustainability roadmap.
He said the approval was given following a presentation to the council by the Minister of Health, Professor Isaac Adewole and the Director General of NECA, Olusegun Oshinowo.
urging the Council to consider an update for increase in domestic funding of treatment of persons living with HIV/AIDS in Nigeria.
“The increase will reduce dependence on donor funding for HIV/AIDS services and the attendant development implication. They also called for HIV treatment that will lead to increased life expectancy in the country and the proportion increase in GDP.
“They added that the need to invest in HIV/AIDS is imperative because donor funding is in the decline due to the global economic circumstances. Reducing the gap between those who require HIV/AIDS care and treatment and those who actually are able to access it, is another reason to investment HIV/AIDS,” he said.
He said the council was also asked to consider and approved universal free ante-natal services and abolition of user fees associated with prevention of mother to child transmission services.
“Council was also asked to request that the state health insurance schemes include HIV/AIDS as an indicator for both testing and treatment particularly as it relates to community health insurance programmers,” he said.
The governor also told journalists that the council was also briefed that the Excess Crude Account stands at $2.3 billion while the Stabilisation Fund stands at N1.7 billion.
He said council was told that budget support to 19 states of the federation that have met the requirements stood at $100 million.
