FG’s Intervention for the Northeast should be captured in 2014 budget – Mala Buni

The six states in the North east sub-region met to analyze and find solution to the problems of insecurity, poor infrastructures and weak economy bedeviling the region. What is your assessment of the summit?Well, the idea of coming together as a people with common problems to find a common solution is in itself an achievement, […]

The six states in the North east sub-region met to analyze and find solution to the problems of insecurity, poor infrastructures and weak economy bedeviling the region. What is your assessment of the summit?
Well, the idea of coming together as a people with common problems to find a common solution is in itself an achievement, more so, President Goodluck Jonathan attended the summit to hear from leaders of the six states. I must also add that the summit is most timely especially that Mr President is yet to present the 2014 budget to the national assembly. I believe, just as all of us in the region do, that there is room for adjustment for the budget to accommodate the special intervention programme he announced to accelerate socio-economic growth of the region.
It is a known fact that states affected by the security challenges for the past years have diverted most of their resources to provide security in their states and, were left with little funds for infrastructural development in the states.
There were series of calls on the federal government and I want to emphasize that, the federal government should as a matter of deliberate and urgent policy, provide these states with a ‘Marshall-plan’ to assist them recover from such monumental loss. In Yobe state for instance, government has spent over N7 billion on security.
This money would have been used to provide the people with water, healthcare services, roads, schools and other services.

Mr President at the summit announced that the federal government will provide special intervention to accelerate socio- economic development of the region. Is that commitment not satisfactory?
Yes, we welcome and appreciate the commitment but, it needs dedicated and genuine political will to put this commitment into a reality for the benefit of the people. That is why we also urge the president to use this opportunity and make provisions in the budget before its presentation to the national assembly. When we see the budget proposal making room for special intervention in these troubled states, that will further strengthen us with more confidence. After the president made his presentation, many people said “we hope to see that in the budget”. So, people are anxiously waiting to hear from him.
When the Niger Delta was faced with numerous problems of poor infrastructural development, government introduced special programme and interventions which ameliorated the problems in that region. Federal government has the capacity to assist the state governments, individuals and organizations in the affected states.
Yobe government and individuals have suffered colossal loss in the insurgency and, we expect the federal government to assist the state government and individual victims. Let us be reminded that the Gaidam administration is rebuilding public structures destroyed by the insurgency which include 209 classrooms worth over N2.5 billion while, private houses worth N629 million were also destroyed.
Yobe State has rich agricultural potentials in the wetlands of Gashua, Jakusko and Nguru. Similarly, the vast oasis in Yunusari, Yusufari, Bursari, Tarmuwa and Giedam are suitable for agricultural development, just as the Gum Arabic plantations across the state. These are areas that the federal government can partner Yobe State government for economic growth and food security in the state.
The Lake Chad basin and Mambilla hydro-electric project are viable ventures that would fast track economic development in the North east sub-region. The idea of developing power project in Yobe State through wind mills as pledged by Mr President is still in the waiting.
So, the people of the state and the region generally, look forward to Mr President matching words with action through special intervention strategy and partnership with the state governments to actualize the commitment and improve the lives of the people for a true sense of belonging.

How has the State of Emergency affected governance in the state?
In a democratic setting, when the federal government proclaims a State of Emergency, the central government injects more resources into the state to improve security and off set calamities that struck such state.
However, here in Nigeria the situation is different. The state government has injected so much into security issues which ought to have been financed by the federal government. As I said earlier, over N7 billion has so far been injected into security related matters in Yobe State so, if the federal government will graciously refund this to the state, government will provide more additional infrastructures to the people.
Similarly, state of emergency under a constitutional government provides for protection of all political structures and this explains why we have the existing structures intact. We are also conducting local government election this month to entrench democracy at the grassroots. Preparations for the election have reached advanced stage and you can see the anxiety of electing leaders of their choice on the faces of the electorates.
We thank Allah for the improvement in the security situation across the state. Generally, there has been improvement in security except for few isolated challenges.

What is your assessment of preparations by the state Independent Electoral Commission for the election?
This is the second time under Gaidam administration the commission is conducting elections into the local government councils. Government believes that the election will give the people hope and confidence in democracy as well as stabilizing the political system. The electoral body has evidently and transparently shown that it is prepared for the conduct of the election. The electoral body has carried all stakeholders’ including political parties, politicians, security operatives and opinion leaders on board to give everyone a sense of belonging and participation in the electoral process.
After meeting with the stakeholders, the commission rolled out a collectively acceptable time table with provisions for verification of candidates, substitution of candidates, submission of list of party agents, training of personnel and, deployment of materials, personnel and conducting the election on 28th December 2013. The state government has supported the commission with adequate resources and logistics to ensure the conduct of credible and successful election into the local government councils.
The election conducted by the commission in 2010 was not only accepted by other parties but, widely acclaimed by local and international observers as one of the best elections ever conducted in Nigeria. In fact, it was a case of reference for credible election. I am sure the commission will not rest on its oars rather it will improve to provide the best.

Have other political parties indicated interest in contesting the elections against the ruling APC?
Sure, the Coalition of Political Parties (CPP) in the state last Wednesday addressed a press conference assuring their supporters that they are contesting the election and called on their supporters to vote for candidates of their choice. It was only the PDP who after participating in all the stakeholders activities, well represented by Hon. Tijjani Dugu, that pulled out. This has become habitual of PDP to pull out of council elections at the last minute.
All other parties said they were satisfied with the improvement in security and the preparations made by the electoral commission and will participate. They have advised their candidates and supporters to conduct themselves peacefully during the electioneering campaigns.
It is only in Yobe State where you find opposition parties most willing to participate in local government elections and, this is because of the free hands enjoyed by the commission in conducting the election.