Northern Governors Announce N19bn Monthly Security Fund, Seek 6 Months Ban on Mining
The Northern Governors’ Forum has resolved to set up a security trust fund with which to support security operations and related activities to tackle Insecurity in the region.
Under the arrangement, each of the 19 states would contribute N1 billion monthly to the fund every month.
This is part of the resolution adopted by the Governors after an emergency security meeting with traditional rulers in the region, held on Monday in Kaduna.
In a communique signed by the Forum chairman and Governor of Gombe State, Muhammadu Inuwa Yahaya, the governors said details of the operation of the security fund would be worked out.
“In order to effectively confront the security crises in the North, the Forum resolved to set-up a regional Security Trust Fund to be funded with monthly contribution of One Billion Naira from each state and local governments to be deducted at source under a framework to be agreed upon.”
The communique requested the Federal Government to suspend all mining activities for six months for proper audit.
“The Forum observed that illegal mining has become a major contributory factor to the security crises in Northern Nigeria, the Forum therefore resolved to strongly recommend to the President to direct the Hon. Minister of Solid Minerals to suspend mining exploration for a period of 6 (six) months to allow proper audit.
“Subject all mining Licences to revalidation for a period of six months in active consultation with the various State Governors and in the process arrest the menace of artisanal illegal mining.”
They restated their support for state police and urged the National Assembly to expedite action on the matter.
“The Forum reaffirms its wholehearted support and commitment to the establishment of State Police. Accordingly, the Forum encourages National and States Assembly Members in the region to expedite action for its actualisation,” they stated in the communique.
The Northern goovernors said, “At this pivotal juncture in our history, we recognise that only through unity, peer review and cooperation can we overcome the pressing challenges before us,” and reaffirmed their resolve to confront challenges in the region with firmness and clarity in order to fulfill their constitutional responsibility”.
The Forum extended its condolences and solidarity to the Governments and people of Kebbi, Kwara, Kogi, Niger, Sokoto, Jigawa and Kano States following the recent killings and abductions of school children and other innocent citizens, as well as to the victims of the Boko Haram attacks in Borno and Yobe States.
The Governors commended the Federal Government for ensuring the prompt release of some of the abducted children and in handling other security challenges.
“We equally commend the sacrifices of our servicemen in uniform who continue to battle various forms of violent insurgencies across the country.”
They renewed their total support for every step to be taken by President Bola Tinubu in taking the fight against insurgents to their enclave in order to bring an end to the criminality.
