The State House, Abuja

85th NEC Meeting on February 15, 2018

A. FINAL REPORT ON FORENSIC AUDIT OF REVENUE ACCRUED FROM REVENUE GENERATING AGENCIES

Council received the final report on the Forensic Audit of Revenue Accrued from Revenue Generating Agencies (RGAs) into Federation Account (FA), Excess Crude Account (ECA) and Consolidated Revenue Fund (CRF).

The report was prepared by KPMG, and audited 18 Agencies including NNPC, FIRS, Nigeria Customs Services (NCS), NIMASA, NPA, NCC, CBN, DPR, NPDC and many others.

The report covered period January 2010 – June, 2015

Key Issues and Recommendations:

The report observed several cases of under-remittance and a few over remittance in some cases both by identified agencies. There were also late remittances into the various accounts. It therefore recommended that:

NEC should decide on repayment plans for all concerned as well as stepping up oversight function on the relevant agencies to ensure remittance as and at when due.

Recommended the proper and regular auditing of the accounts of the RGAs and those of the FG.

There is also the need for annual review of the agencies.

Council Resolutions:

Council received the report and resolved that the Ad-hoc NEC Committee on the matter be expanded to include a lawyer and an accountant. The Committee would study the KPMG report and the recommendations and report back to Council at its next sitting for possible adoption.

The Federal Government officials including the CBN Governor, the Ministers of Finance, Budget and National Planning and Minister of State, Petroleum Resources would join the expanding Committee to also take a look at the report for FG’s review.

B. UPDATE ON THE SOCIAL INVESTMENT PROGRAMME BY THE SPECIAL ADVISER TO THE PRESIDENT ON THE SOCIAL INVESTMENT PROGRAMME

The Special Adviser to the President on the Social Investment Programme (SIP), briefed the Council on the impact of the National Social Investment Programme (N-SIP). Highlights of the presentation include:

Total Direct Beneficiaries from all the SIP Programme is 7,812,201

Secondary Beneficiaries – 1,500,000, mainly farmers and cooks

Total actual spending in 2016 and 2017 = 15.58% of the budget

The Council was further briefed on the general challenges facing the smooth delivery of the N-SIP. They include:

Corrupt practices in the States – (short-changing, racketeering and harassment of beneficiaries)

Exploitation of the vulnerable (due to poor levels of literacy);

Monitoring and communication (insufficient awareness/publicity) and logistics for monitoring yet to be secured.

Steps to Overcome Obstacles:

N-SIPs is collaborating with various Organisations within and outside the Government to overcome the challenges in the areas of; Monitoring and Security, Sensitization, Communication.

Support/Intervention from State Governments

The N-SIPs requires State Government support as follows:

Micro-Credit scheme under the Government Enterprise and Empowerment Programme (GEEP)

States to support in fraud detection and prevention by local officials.

States to support the GEEP loan programme mobilization and facilitate the generation of BVN and the opening of accounts.

Loan recovery from beneficiaries.

Home Grown School Feeding Programme

States to fast-track commencement of programme by signing MoU.

Re-train and re-screen cooks.

Strengthen Monitoring and Evaluation.

National Social Safety Net

States need to demonstrate commitment for the programme to kick off.

Ensure a conducive working environment and commitment to an objective and transparent community-Based Targeting Process.

Support in form of security and fraud detection.

Cash Transfer Programme

States to provide furnished accommodation and logistics as agreed.

Provide security, caution politicians and fast-track Community Based Targeting.

Youth Employment and Empowerment Programme

States to support communication efforts where necessary.

Support monitoring efforts to ensure beneficiaries are resuming and working full time at assigned locations.

Show increasing better commitment to the programme.

C. INTERIM BRIEFING ON NEC’S WORKING GROUP ON HERDSMEN/FARMERS CLASHES

The Vice President reported that the Group has met twice and formed a technical Sub-Committee. The Sub-Committee has been given the assignment of consultations with some of the affected communities.

The Sub-Committee is chaired by Ebonyi State Governor and the NEC Working Group will give a fuller report at the end of the work of the Sub-Committee.

The Vice President also reported that the Working Group has noted the need for joint Military-Police Operation to manage violent outbreak where required while also calling for more efficient intelligence gathering.

The Working Group also calls for the use of the Military force to flush out bandits whose activities have been linked to the clashes, and engagement with traditional leaders to foster peace in their communities.

Working Group also noted that an Agro Rangers Corps should be trained to provide security around ranches, livestock production centres and grazing routes.

The Working Group also noted that the land use laws and regulations invest the States with the power over land titles and use while the Vice President added that the FG will not impose on State Governments. FG will only share templates on best practices for the conduct of livestock production and business.

The Vice President also informed that the President has approved the formation of a Committee to look into the issue of rebuilding affected communities and providing welfare and other facilities as may be considered appropriated.

The President has asked that the Vice President head the Committee.

D. PRESENTATION BY GMD, NNPC ON PMS SUPPLY ACROSS THE COUNTRY AND COST OF UNDER-RECOVERIES BORNE BY NNPC

The Group Managing Director, NNPC, briefed the Council on the PMS supply and cost of under-recoveries arising from difference between importation cost and PPPRA cut off market price.

He told Council that the PMS open market price is continuously shaped by crude oil price volatility in the international market with the attendant cost under-recoveries due to differential between actual supply and distribution.

He informed that favourable market conditions encouraged private participation by Independent Marketers in Nigeria between May – September 2016.

There is currently sudden decline in private participation in Nigeria due to decline in favourable market conditions and also the sudden shock in consumption which over stretches daily supply of petroleum products.

E. REPORT ON EXCESS CRUDE ACCOUNT (ECA)

Council was briefed by the Accountant General of the Federation that the balance in ECA as at 14th February, 2018 stands at $2,317,252,449.57.

F. REPORT ON BALANCE OF THE STABILIZATION FUND ACCOUNT

Council was also briefed by the Accountant General of the Federation that the balance in the Stabilization Fund Account as at 14th February, 2018 stands at N11,290,664,060.06.

G. UPDATE ON NATURAL RESOURCES DEVELOPMENT FUND

Council was equally briefed by the Accountant General of the Federation that the balance in the Natural Resources Development Fund as at 14th February, 2018 stands at N123,624,644,411.24

H. UPDATE ON BUDGET SUPPORT LOAN FACILITY

The Accountant General reported to the Council as follows:

23 States have access to the facility

N16.1 billion has been disbursed as at January 2018.

Laolu Akande
Senior Special Assistant to the President (Media & Publicity)
Office of the Vice President
15th February, 2018

Factsheet: Federal Response to the Attacks and Killings by Herdsmen in Benue and other States.

Background

Insinuations and allegations that the attacks and killings are happening because President Buhari is Fulani are both unkind and incorrect. These attacks long predated the Buhari Government. In 2013 no fewer than nine cases of herdsmen attacks were recorded in Benue State alone, with more than 190 people killed. In 2014 there were no fewer than 16 recorded attacks, in Benue, which claimed more than 230 victims. Between January and May 2015, six attacks left more than 300 people dead, again in Benue State alone.

This historical context is important for a proper understanding of the issue, and to avoid unnecessarily politicizing what should be regarded and dealt with as acts of criminality. These attacks have been a longstanding issue, and successive governments have struggled to contain the situation.

The Buhari Administration is more than fully committed to bringing the cycle of violence to an end, prosecuting the attackers, and preventing further killings and attacks. President Buhari has condemned the killings in Benue and other parts of the country and stands by his earlier directives to security agencies that all those behind wanton killings in any part of the country must be brought to book. The security agencies also have standing instructions to arrest and prosecute any and all persons found with illegal arms.

Federal Interventions

The recent killings in Benue and Taraba States have elicited the following Federal responses:

1. President Buhari has met with the Governor of Benue State on the matter, to assure him of the Federal Government’s commitment to protecting farmers and communities.

2. President Buhari has directed the Inspector General of Police to relocate to Benue State.

3. On Monday January 8, 2018, the Minister of Interior, Abdulrahman Dambazau, convened a security meeting on the issue, bringing together Federal and State government officials: Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development, Heads of security agencies, and the Governors of the most affected States: Adamawa, Benue, Kaduna, Nasarawa, and Taraba.

4. On Wednesday January 10, 2018, the IG held a Stakeholders engagement with the Benue State Government, elders, community, religious and traditional leaders etc

5. Since the first week of January, immediately following the January 1 attacks, the Inspector General of Police has deployed the following to the affected areas:

· Ten (10) Units of the Police Mobile Force
· Ten (10) Units of Police Special Forces (‘Tactical Operation Units’)
· Counter Terrorism Units
· Conventional Policemen.
· Police Explosive Ordinance Department (EOD)
· Special Police Joint Intelligence and Investigation Teams
· Police Aerial Surveillance Teams (Police Helicopters)

6. Five (5) Mobile Police Units deployed to protect IDPs in neighbouring Nasarawa State.

7. The Nigerian Army has deployed Special Forces to Benue, Taraba, and Nasarawa States.

8. In Benue State, eight (8) suspected herdsmen are in Police custody over the recent killings, and are currently being prosecuted.

9. The Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development is working to establish cattle colonies across the country, in 2018. These colonies will provide grass and water for the cattle, and education and healthcare facilities for herders. They will also have Agro-Rangers deployed to secure the facilities.

10. On January 15, 2018, various past and present Benue state government officials, traditional elders and members of the House of Assembly gathered for a security meeting with the President on measures to curb violence in the state.

11. The Vice President has refuted claims that he had prior knowledge on attacks of alleged herdsmen in Logo and Guma LGAs of Benue state on Januray 1, 2018 without acting on it. Full press statement HERE.

12. On January 18, 2018, the National Economic Council, which is chaired by the Vice President, Yemi Osinbajo, set up a committee to address the issues of conflict and violence between herdsmen and farmers in the country.

13. It was announced on February 7, 2018 that the Nigerian Army will begin an operation exercise called Exercise Ayem Akpatuma. The exercise is to run from February 15 – March 31, 2018 and cover Benue, Taraba, Kogi, Nasarawa, Kaduna and Niger states to tackle the cases of kidnappings, and herdsmen/farmers’ clashes.