The Northern Governors’ Forum (NSGF) has announced the creation of a regional security trust fund under which the 19 northern states and their LGAs will contribute a combined N1 billion monthly.
The forum claims that in order to combat the growing banditry, terrorism, and kidnapping that are plaguing the area, the money should be taken out at the source.
The decision was contained in a communiqué published at the end of a vital joint meeting between the governors and members of the Northern Traditional Rulers’ Council (NTRC) in Kaduna on Monday.
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The communiqué, signed by Inuwa Yahaya, the chairman of the Northern Governors forum and governor of Gombe, said the fund was necessary “in order to effectively confront the security crises in the north.”
“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 contributions of one billion naira from each state and local government to be deducted at source under a framework to be agreed upon,” the statement reads.
Northern Governors call for 6 months suspension of mining
The Northern governors have also called on President Bola Tinubu to direct Dele Alake, minister of solid minerals development, to immediately suspend all mining activity in the region for six months to enable a complete audit and revalidation of licences.
They accused artisanal miners and their backers of financing terrorism and banditry, characterising illegal mining as “a major contributory factor” to the security problem.
The Northern governors praised the sacrifices made by security personnel fighting insurgents throughout the nation and complimented Tinubu “for leaving no stone unturned” in obtaining the release of some kidnapped schoolchildren.
They reaffirmed their “wholehearted support” for the creation of state police and urged northern federal and state lawmakers to fast-track the required constitutional amendments.
“Accordingly, the forum encourages National and States Assembly Members in the region to expedite action for its actualisation,” the governors said.
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“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 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.”
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