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Governor Mohammed Umaru Bago of Niger State has said that his administration's resolve to end the festering security challenges in the state is unwavering.
The governor stated this when he received the new Assistant Inspector General of Police, AIG Zone 7, in Government House, Minna.
According to a press release signed by the Chief Press Secretary, Mal. Bologi Ibrahim, Governor Umaru Bago told the police chief that his administration was ready to partner with the Nigerian Police Force to secure its vast arable land.
He said because of the vast expanse of land the state was blessed with, criminals have taken advantage of the ungoverned spaces to launch their nefarious activities.
He said his government, necessitated by this development, will create a Ministry of Pastoral and Nomadic Affairs that will work towards securing the forests and ungoverned spaces by using the inhabitants in the areas to enable farmers and nomads to return to their farmlands.
He restated his administration's avowed commitment to return peace and security to all parts of the state, revealing that the police were an indispensable partner in this task.
He thanked the new AIG for the visit and congratulated him on his new assignment, assuring that the state will provide the needed support for him to succeed.
The new AIG Zone 7, Mr. Adebowale Williams, earlier in his remarks said the zone covered the FCT and Niger State and expressed commendation for the unique, uncommon, and strategic security interventions the state government was providing to enable the police to perform their duty effectively.
He appreciated the governor's donation of a new facility to accommodate the Chanchaga police division, which also has the capacity to house the Area Command.
He said the gesture has gone a long way towards giving the police a sense of entitlement.
The AIG further assured the governor that with the recent donation of 12 brand new patrol vehicles and accessories to the command, the police will up their ante in providing adequate security through prompt response to emergencies.
He thanked the governor for the audience and called for more support for the police, as the police, he said, have evolved new strategies to combat any threat to lives and properties in the state.
Niger State Governor, Hon. Mohammed Umaru Bago, has called on the Hydroelectric Power Producing Areas Development Commission (HYPPADEC) to synchronise their intervention activities with the state government to ensure adequate spread and reach.
The governor said the collaboration was necessary to avoid duplication of intervention activities by the state government and HYPPADEC and to save costs for both parties.
The governor stated this today when the management of the commission paid him a courtesy call at Government House, Minna.
Governor Umaru Bago said he has observed the lack of harmonisation of policies and programmes of the commission with those of the state, which has caused duplication of work in some affected communities. He pointed out that his administration has established ministries and agencies to partner with and interface with the commission.
According to him, "Again, I have observed with dismay the lack of synchronisation of your policies and programmes with those of the state; as such, we have created a Ministry for Power and Renewable Energy with terms of reference so that they can interface with you.
"You must streamline your programmes with those of the state because it is going to be absurd to find out that you build schools where we are also building schools just because there is no communication, or you provide life jackets or life support programmes where we have just done that, or food intervention and other interventions.
"But once we synchronise our programmes, we work in tandem with each other and bring out the desired goals that we are looking for ", he added.
The governor said despite the location of four hydroelectric dams in the state and the 32 percent revenue accruals to the state, the people have not felt adequately compensated, urging the commission to increase their interventions and broaden their corporate social responsibility.
The governor promised to continue offering the support of the state government to enable the commission to achieve its mandate.
The commission, led by its Managing Director, Alh. Abubakar Sadiq Yelwa, had earlier told the governor about the various development interventions the commission had undertaken in the state, particularly in areas of housing, disaster management, water supply, education, rural energy, and support for security agencies in the state.
He disclosed that the governor was a strong proponent of HYPPADEC and further extolled his role in the creation of the commission as a lawmaker at the National Assembly, revealing that the commission was operating in 17 local government areas in the state with three area offices.
The MD then called on the state government to continue offering its invaluable support for the commission, expressing delight at the conducive working environment and cordial working relationship the commission has been enjoying in Niger State.
He said the commission will continue to give the state the utmost priority and agreed with the governor that there was a need for the state government and the commission to work closely to achieve the intended objectives of the present administration.
