The 36 states governors under the platform of the Nigeria Governors’ Forum (NGF), will soon present their resolutions on insecurity in the country to President Muhammadu Buhari.
The governors disclosed this in a communiqué issued by NGF Chairman and Governor of Ekiti State, Dr Kayode Fayemi in Abuja on Wednesday, after the forum 14th teleconference meeting held on Tuesday.
It stated that the resolution came after Fayemi briefed the governors on the recent attack on the convoy of the Borno State Governor Prof. Babagana Zulum and the rapidly degenerating state of security across the country, which the forum deliberated on.
“The Chairman stated that the NEC Ad-Hoc Committee on Security and Policing met on Tuesday Aug. 4 with the heads of the nation’s security agencies to discuss and review the security challenges in the country.
According to the Chairman, Resolutions reached will be presented to Mr President shortly.”
It added the governors also deliberated on the ongoing negotiation between the NGF and the federal government to waive the requirement that State governments provide counterpart funds before they can access Universal Basic Education (UBE) Funds.
“The move was taken in the light of the impact of COVID-19 which has affected the capacity of State governments to provide counterpart funds required to access various national funds and statutory levies.
“The collaboration between the NGF and the Centre for Values in Leadership(CVL) to organize a Webinar on Governance and Insecurity Challenges in the country was discussed.
“The Webinar will facilitate an interaction between governors and the public to shed more light on some of the strategies deployed to tackle insecurity amidst the battle against COVID-19 in Nigeria.”
It added that Fayemi at the meeting provided an update on the finalisation of plans for the flag-off and distribution of food items to vulnerable persons in all the 36 States by the forum with the private sector-led Coalition against COVID-19 (CACOVID).
The communique added that Fayemi also updated the governors on the intervention of the Forum in the nationwide strike action by the National Association of Resident Doctors (NARD) in June.
“The Chairman stated that some of the States Governments still have unresolved issues with the Resident Doctors and enjoined Governors to engage with the State branches of the Association to resolve these disputes.
Some of the issues include unpaid salaries for doctors and the non-domestication and non-implementation of the Medical Residency Training Act, 2017.
It added that the forum received further updates from Alhaji Aliko Dangote on behalf of the Coalition against COVID-19 (CACOVID) on the flag-off and distribution of CACOVID palliatives to States.
It noted that the flag-off started on Tuesday, Aug. 4 in Borno, Edo, Enugu and Kano States.
The launch is ongoing and will hold daily across one State each in the six geopolitical zones until Tuesday Aug. 11 when it will be concluded in all 36 States of the Federation.
Thereafter, members of the Forum Resolved as follows:” That all COVID-19 Task Forces in the various States will work closely with their Palliatives Implementation Committees to target the most vulnerable population in the society for the distribution of the CACOVID palliatives, particularly in local governments that have been identified as epicenters.
“States will also take cognizance of the possibility of a second wave of COVID-19 infection and should start preparing preventive measures.
“The Forum will continue to engage with the federal government on the suspension of State counterpart funds required for accessing UBE funds.
“The forum had adopted the Report of the National Economic Council Ad-Hoc Committee on COVID-19 chaired by the Vice President, which recommended the immediate suspension of the requirement for State Governments to provide matching funds to access grants like UBEC.”
The State governments pledged to ensure appropriate health and security measures were put in place for the 2019 Annual Performance Assessment of the (SFTAS) programme expected to start from Aug. 9,This according to the communiqué is to ensure a seamless exercise by the teams from the Office of the Auditor General of the Federation (OAuGF).
“The NGF Secretariat will provide Technical Assistance to the remaining five states yet to publish their Audited Financial Statement (AFS).
“Lastly, state governments with unresolved issues with their Resident Doctors were enjoined to meet with the Association at least at the local level to agree on workable solutions in the face of the current challenges in the country.”
It added that the Minister of State for Education, Chukwuemeka Nwajiuba briefed members on guidelines for the resumption of schools in the country.
It added that the ministry had been engaging with governors through the NGF Sub-Committee interfacing with the Presidential Task Force (PTF) on COVID-19 and through regular meetings with State Commissioners for Education.
“The Chairman of the NGF Sub-Committee interfacing with the Presidential Task Force (PTF) on COVID-19, Governor Dr Ifeanyi Okowa, briefed Governors of the measures discussed with the PTF on reopening the economy.“
His update highlighted concerns such as guidelines required to reopen schools; resumption of international flights; the need for increased testing capacity and sample collection centers in all local government areas in the country.
“It also highlighted on the disbursement of the Basic Health Care Provision Fund and other health related facilities; dissemination of guidelines for home care for COVID-19 cases; and the non-availability of reagents in the country due to its high demand globally.
