By SADIQ ABUBAKAR, Maiduguri –
The North East Governors Forum (NEGF) has raised concerned over the new dimension of growing banditry which has worsen the security situation in the subregion as a result of the concerted efforts of the Military to flush bandits from the other parts of the country.
The forum expressed fear that the case is becoming worse in Bauchi, Gombe and Taraba, places hitherto without banditry while calling on the Federal Government to urgently intervene to address the issue.
The Forum also observed that it is aware that some traditional rulers and other local authorities are conniving with the bandits, giving them shelter and cover to commit crimes within the subregion and unanimously resolved to decisively deal with any traditional ruler or community leader that is found to be harbouring or conniving with the bandits.
They made the resolve in a communique issued at the end of the 8th North East Governors Forum (NEGF) meeting held in Maiduguri, Borno State.
The communique was signed by Professor Babagana Umara Zulum, the Governor of Borno State and Chairman of the NEGF .
The meeting which had in attendance the Governors of Adamawa, Bauchi, Borno, Yobe with the Governors of Gombe and Taraba represented by their Deputy Governors, expressed delight at the growing strength of the cooperation, collaboration and cordial relationship between the Governors of the 6 States of the region while reiterating its commitment to foster a common ground and pursue collective course for the benefit of the region.
The Forum also appreciated the Vice President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria Senator Kashim Shettima for gracing the opening ceremony of the 8th meeting of the NEGF and the Government and People of Borno State for hosting the event.
The communique added that proliferation of mining in the region is becoming a problem which includes both legal and illegal mining, maintaining that there is a link between mining activities and insecurity especially the abuse of the mining lease. They called on the respective Governments to enforce compliance with the provisions of local consent as contained in Nigeria’s Mining Policy, reiterating its call for strict compliance with the provisions of the Land Use Act.
The Forum further noted with great concern that climate change and environmental degradation is a major issue affecting the subregion, lamenting that the issue of flooding that had affected the States leading to destruction of properties and loss of livelihoods is increasing the sufferings of the people.
It noted that the situation has been compounded by the silting of rivers as well as deforestation brought about by the massive charcoal business and there is the need for the Federal Government’ intervention in the area of desilting the rivers.
Furthermore, the forum suggested that, there is the need for effective control on deforestation with stern regulation to local authorities against compromise to granting approvals for such business hence the Forum has resolved to key into the Global Initiative of Carbon Crisis, the Great Green wall and other initiatives that will mitigate the devastating impact of climate change in the subregion.
The Forum also noted with dismay the seeming neglect of road and railway infrastructure especially along the economic corridors that links the Northeast subregion to the rest of the country, stating that, the Roads from Enugu to Maiduguri is in deplorable State. Equally worse is the railway from the Enugu up to Maiduguri which has been destroyed
They therefore called on the Federal Government to look into the situation and consider the reconstruction of these basic infrastructure along Enugu-Maiduguri Economic Corridor. This is a major route for regional trade and very important for integration, peace building and improving national unity.
The communique stated that the Forum has agreed that all the States within the subregion are to domesticate the Education Law 2022, as recommended by the Northeast Education Council earlier constituted by the Forum while charging the Northeast Development Commission (NEDC) to be more proactive with the issues of development in the subregion, recommending that, Its intervention should be well prioritized in short, medium and long term to take care of the sustainable development needs of the people within the subregion.
The forum resolved to promote subregional commerce among member states and It further agreed to resuscitate the northeast trade fair to be held in Bauchi in January, 2024 while resolving to hold the 9th Meeting in Yola, Adamawa State between Friday 3rd – Saturday 4th – November, 2023.
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