Zulum receives report on regional stabilization facility, inaugurates Fish Processing and Marketing Committee
From SADIQ ABUBAKAR, Maiduguri
Borno State Gobernor, Professor Babagana Umara Zulum has received a report on the Regional Stabilization Facility Project at the Government House, Maiduguri.
The Regional Stabilization Facility (RSF) is a financing facility developed by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) with support from Germany, Sweden, United Kingdom, and the European Union (EU), to facilitate the implementation of the Regional Stabilization Strategy (RSS) of the Lake Chad Basin Commission (LCBC).
The RSS seeks to restore security and bring relief to communities affected by Boko Haram insurgency.
It will also be recalled that the facility was launched on July 17, 2019 during the 2nd Governors Forum in Niger, by the UNDP Africa Director, Ms. Ahunna Eziakonwa together with representatives of the various partners and Governors.
The facility was aimed at providing immediate stabilization, within 18 months, to improve community safety and security; restore essential infrastructure and basic services; and provide livelihood opportunities for households in the affected communities. It will also provide extended support to the LCBC to strengthen its capacity.
Our Corespondent reports that the Facility will be implemented with a planned budget of $100 million for the first phase across the four countries of Nigeria, Niger, Cameroon and Chad.
Zulum who was optimistic of achieving the facility’s nine pillar strategic objectives, commended the United Nations and other organisations for supporting the state.
“I want to assure you that Borno State and other sister states are committed towards achieving the nine pillar strategic objectives of the facility.
I am happy that our interface with the United Nations is yielding positive results, sources of livelihood in our communities have improved”, Zulum said.
Earlier the Executive Secretary of the Lake Chad Basin Commission, Ambassador, Mamman Nuhu commended Governor Zulum for his efforts in addressing security challenges in the state and execution of developmental projects across Borno state.
Ambassador Nuhu also added that the facility apart from the security concern in the region will equally look into the humanitarian response, improve delivery of basic services among others.
He added that the facility strategy has outlined both short, medium and long term plans for the development of the Lake Chad Basin region.
Meanwhile, Governor Zulum on Wednesday inaugurated a 20- man high powered committee on Fish Processing and Marketing under the Chairmanship of the State Attorney -General and Commissioner of Justice, Barrister Kaka Shehu Lawan.
He charged them to dedicate themselves to the tasks assigned to them, noting that, the assignment is tedious and demanding while urging them to work assiduously to repose the confidence government has in them.
Inaugurating the committee members at the Council Chamber of the Government House Maiduguri, Zulum said the committee members we’re carefully selected from the affected areas and relevant ministries in order for the committee to effectively it’s responsibilities.
He however noted that for almost four to five years now, fishing activities has been banned by the Nigerian at but his pressures in the COAS had recently made the Nigerian Army to fishing in some areas like Baga, Kukawa, Mafa, Gamboru Ngala and others to return with th formal reopening of roads and access to fishing areas.
The Governor also urged the committee to discharge their duties with all transparency and generate revenue for the state government lamenting that, in the past, a lot resources and revenue have been lost to the an on fishing which is one of the major occupation of large size if the state population before the Insurgency.
The members of the committee in life the State Commissioners for Local Government & Emirate Affairs, Sports, Fisheries and Animal Resources, , Representative of SSS, Nigerian Immigration, NSCDC, NPF, Theater Commander, Operation Lafiyà Dole, NURTW and Fish Producers and Marketers Association of Baga, Kukawa, Gamboru and Baga Road Branched.
Responding on b half if the committee members, the Chairman of the Committee, Barister Kaka Shehu Lawan thanked the give to for finding them worthy to serve in the committee and assured that they will discharge their assignments without fear or favour.
He also disclosed that the committee will collaborate with the security agencies in the discharge of their responsibilities and will ensure transparently transactions by way of blocking all linkages of diversion of government revenue.
Barrister Lawan pledged to repose the confidence government and people of Borno state have in them.