THE National Economic Council (NEC) has resolved that state government with the capacity should rehabilitate prisons and provide facilities to decongest them.

Arising from its 78th session presided over by acting President Yemi Osinbajo at the Presidential Villa, Abujaon Thursday, it expressed worries over the appalling conditions of structures and logistics in the nations prisons.

This followed a presentation to the council made by the Minister of Interior.

Briefing State House correspondents after the meeting, Governor Dave Umahi of Ebonyi State said the governors were unanimouson the need to rehabilitate prisons in the country.

He added: It was indicated that States that have the capacity should as soon as practicable lend a helping hand to provide facilities that will help decongest the prisons and help improve the state of the inmates.

Council expresses the need for private and the public sectors to collaborate for more effective and humane prison services.

Stated the need to visit the Prisons regularly in order to determine those that are supposed to be there and those that should be out of prison.

Also speaking, Governor Ibrahim Dankwambo of Gombe State, gave an update on the Excess Crude Account (ECA) put at $2.3billion as well as Stabilization, Natural Resources Development and Ecological Funds.

Damkwambo who gave NEC a brief update on the progress of work of NECs Ad-hoc Committee on Excess Crude,disclosed that about 18 Ministry. Department and Agencies (MDAs) were now being audited, and in 10, the audits have being completed already.

He said a more comprehensive report was expected by next NEC meeting.

According to him, NEC was informed thatStabilisation Balance isN28.5 billion as at

28/6/17;Natural Resources Development Fund,N87.6 billion andEcological FundN28.9 billion.

On Budget Support Loan Facility, Dankwambo said although Finance Minister presented that the facility has being fully disbursed, she also announced that the Acting President has directed that the facility continues until other states claim are paid.

The Budget Support Loan Facility is an initiation of the Buhari administration to help states get boost in their funding in the light of the dwindling Federal Accounts Allocation Committee (FAAC) allocations.

NEC also received briefing on HIV update in the country, noting that an estimated three million were living with the virus in the country.

The Director General of the National Agency for the Control of AIDS (NACA), Dr. Sani Aliyu, who spoke on the subject at the briefing, said some states have budget allocation for HIV programmes but not released.

He said Issues of HIV needed to be prioritized, noting that atleast 0.5% to 1% of monthly Federation allocation to states be set aside for financing the implementation of the HIV/AIDS programme.

He added: A universal free antenatal services and abolition of user fees associated with accessing prevention of Mother-To-Child Transmission (PMTCT) services.

Each State to set up an ANC/PMTCT revolving fund.

State Health Insurance and contributory schemes include HIV as an indicator disease for both testing and treatment particularly as it relates to community health insurance programme.

NEC also received an update on Improving Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and its implementation in the country.

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NEC okays states' rehabilitation of prisons - NIGERIAN TRIBUNE (press release) (blog)