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John Adams, Minna
Stakeholders in Niger state on Thursday rose from a one-day interactive session at the government house with three points demands from President Mohammadu Buhari to help to put a stop to all forms armed Banditry, kidnaping and other criminalities which have bedeviled parts of the state in recent time.
The stakeholders were also unanimous in calling on the President to declare a state of emergency on all federal roads in the state which have made lives miserable for the people, bringing movement of goods to its lowest ebb.
The stakeholders meeting which was held at the government house in Minna, was at the instance of Minister of state for foreign affairs, Ambassador Zubairu Dada, and was presided over the state Deputy Governor, Alhaji Ahmed Ketso.
It could be recalled that following the #EndSARS Protests across the country, President Buhari gave marching order to the Ministers to go back to their constituency to douse tension and get the feelings of the people with a view to addressing their grievances.
The stakeholders meeting include federal and state Legislators, traditional rulers, youth organizations, women groups and religious leaders, among others.
The stakeholders in a communique at the end of the four hours deliberation, resolved that “the federal government should as a matter of urgency, declared a state of emergency on all federal roads in Niger state”
The stakeholders are also of the view that the high level insecurity in parts of the state has rendered thousand of people, including women and children homeless, taking refuge in their land, and by extension “has made the youths jobless and making them to embark on illegal activities”.
The stakeholders further expressed reservation over the epileptic power supply to the state by the Abuja Electricity Distribution Company (AEDC) which has forced small and medium scale businesses closed down in the state which they said played host to three hydro Electricity Dams in the country.
One after the other, the stakeholders were unanimous in their submission; the Chief Imam of Minna Central Mosque, Malam Ibrahim Fari stated that insecurity and lack of electricity are the major problems in Niger state.
According to him, “if the Abuja Electricity Distribution Company (AEDC) cannot provide adequate electricity in the state, they should leave and allow others who are willing to supply the state with electricity to operate in the state.
“We want AEDC to increase the supply of electricity in the state. We are not accepting anything less than 20 hours of electricity, if they cannot give us this, let them leave the state.”
Also contributing, the state Chairman of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), Reverend Mathias Echioda described the roads in the state as “death traps” stating that the federal government need to declare a state of emergency on the roads across Niger state.
The representative of the women group, Barrister Aisha Galadima said that the state deserves a better deal from the Federal government adding that the roads across the States need urgent attention.
“Niger state is a gateway state in the country, most commuters have to pass through Niger state to get to other states in the north, that is why the roads need attention”
The Niger State Governor, Alhaji Abubakar Sani Bello on his remake noted that all the points raised by the stakeholders were the real challenges facing the state which need urgent in other douse tension among the youths in the state.
Reprinted by the Deputy Governor, the Governor said “Niger state has spoken loud and clear. All contributions and recommendations are apt and on point. We have moved this and we assure you that the federal government will get your messages”.
Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Zubairu Dada promised to covey the messages of the people to the federal government.
He said that the meeting was a directive from President Buhari who asked all Ministers to return to their state and call for a meeting to hear from the people with a view to addressing the challenges facing them.
He assured that the federal government will provide solutions to all the challenges that has been highlighted by the people.
