#TrackNigeria -The Solution towards containing the resurgence of attacks by Boko Haram insurgents particularly in northern side of Borno State, lies with increasing drastically, the number of soldiers,their fighting capabilities and access to changing technology, Borno’s Governor, Professor Babagana Umara Zulum has told the Speaker of House of Representatives, Femi Gbajabiamila in Maiduguri.
The Speaker, accompanied by the Majority and minority leaders, chief whip, chairmen of committees on appropriation, Defence, representatives of Borno and others, was on one day visit, during which he announced while on courtesy call at the government house, that he was in Borno for two objectives: critical review of security situation and impacts of the insurgents in relation to the welfare of displaced persons and restoration of livelihoods.
The Speaker was at Shehu of Borno’s palace before visiting an internally displaced persons camp located along Gubio road with over 30,000 victims from local government areas in northern and central parts of the state. He presented two trailer loads of rice amongst other food items.
Before visiting the camp, Governor Zulum said at the Government house, that “We need increase in numerical strength of soldiers, the police, increase in fighting capacity and improved access to technology. The insurgents now use drones”. The Governor also appealed for support in the rehabilitation federal roads in Borno, all of which he said were in bad shape and not helping the fight against Boko Haram. He also sought intervention on the takeover of either the state funded Polytechnic or any of the college of education as Borno currently has none.
“Please consider all these our needs ahead of appropriation for the 2020 fiscal year” Zulum appealed to the Speaker.
Mr Femi Gbajabiamila assured Governor Zulum that he shared his concern on the need for deployment of more soldiers to Borno through means that could involve fresh recruitment including to the Nigeria Police Force for the purpose of community policing. He said the house was going to strongly look into the Governor’s concern.
He said the Boko Haram crisis has been lingering for about ten years and it was high time it was brought to an end.
On roads and livelihoods request through the sustainable development goals office in the Presidency, Speaker Gbajabiamila said he with Borno having the chairman, committee on appropriation, Muktari Betara and Deputy Chairmen, committees on FERMA, and SDGs, the Governor’s request could all be addressed in the next fiscal year through budgetary provisions.
The speaker said he was also interested in working with the Federal Government and Borno State to hold a stakeholders round table that would focus on finding the root cause of the Boko Haram insurgency. He said he was concerned about the plight of IDP’s, one of whose camps he assessed along Gubio road.
The speaker left Borno on board a presidential jet around 5pm on his way to Abuja. Governor Zulum and his deputy, saw him off at the airport.
