The Northern States Governors Forum (NSGF), on Saturday reiterated its support for the creation of state police and called on the National Assembly to expedite action on the enactment of the legal framework for its take-off.
In a communique issued at the end of the forum’s meeting in Kaduna, the governors emphasised the need for cooperation and collaboration in addressing the numerous developmental challenges confronting the northern region and the nation at large.
The communique which was read by Mohammadu Yahaya, chairman of the forum and governor of Gombe state, commended President Bola Tinubu for his sustained commitment to addressing the security challenges and infrastructural deficits in the north.
The communique reads: “After exhaustive deliberations on matters of regional interest, particularly security, the Forum released the following communique:
“The Forum commends Mr. President, Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR, for his sustained commitment to addressing the security challenges and infrastructural deficits in Northern Nigeria.
“The Forum resolved to liaise with the Nigerian Governors Forum to work out modalities of how to increase support to the Federal Security Forces.
“The Forum also resolved to strengthen peculiar local initiatives in combating all forms of security challenges.
“The Forum also resolved to urgently set up inter-state platforms to coordinate surveillance on our joint borders.
“The Forum reiterated its support for the creation of the State Police and called on the National Assembly to expedite action on the enactment of the legal framework for its take-off”.
Earlier in a speech while declaring the meeting opened, Yahaya called for immediate review of strategies and security architecture to address the resurgence of Boko Haram activities in some parts of the North-east and the violent killings by bandits in the North-Central.
He said efforts must be redoubled to end the killings and ensuring the safety of lives of the people.
The governor expressed condolences to the governments and people of Plateau, Bauchi, Benue, Borno, and Yobe states over the recent tragic killings.
“These mindless acts of violence against innocent citizens remind us of the urgent need to redouble our security efforts and ensure that adequate security measures are vigorously implemented for the safety of our people.
“The resurgence of Boko Haram activities in some parts of the North-east and the outbreak of violent killings in the north-central call for immediate review of strategies and greater synergy between federal, state and local security architectures”, the NSGF chairman said.
He also spoke on the position taken by the forum on the tax reform bills during its last meeting, noting that, “the position we took on the tax reform bills engendered the reactions of a broad spectrum of Nigerians.
“I am pleased to report that through the platform of the Nigeria Governors’ Forum, the National Economic Council, and in consultation with leadership of the National Assembly, we found a way forward that will lead to a mutually beneficial resolution of the matter.”
This, according to him, is a demonstration of the power of constructive engagement.
The governor commended President Bola Tinubu for his listening ear and commitment to inclusive governance.
“We recommend that, going forward, such collaborative approach should guide all matters of intergovernmental relations in the interest of the people.”
While lamenting the deplorable state of infrastructure in the north, he commended President Tinubu for his commitment to completing the ongoing road projects in the north.
Yahaya said, “The state of infrastructure in Northern Nigeria remains a cause for major concern. While we acknowledge President Tinubu’s commitment to completing the ongoing Kaduna-Kano-Katsina-Maradi rail line, the Abuja-Kaduna-Kano expressway, and the AKK gas pipeline among many others, other projects like the Port Harcourt-Maiduguri rail line, Kano-Maiduguri expressway, and Akwanga-Jos-Bauchi-Gombe-Biu expressway which were awarded in the past, remain in a serious state of neglect.
“In the same vein, no State of the Northeast was captured in the Federal Government’s Superhighway project.
“We must therefore explore innovative financing options, including public-private partnerships and infrastructure bonds, in order to bridge this gap and lay a solid foundation for agricultural production, industrialization and growth”.
Speaking further, Yahaya lamented the fading glory of the New Nigeria Development Company (NNDC), which he noted was once the pride of the north.
He said with proper restructuring, competent management and effective oversight, “we can restore it to its former glory as a catalyst for regional economic development.”
According to him, the ongoing reform of the NNDC presents a golden opportunity to revive the economic fortunes of the region.
The meeting was attended by 14 governors while five others were represented.
The next meeting of the forum will hold on August 30, 2025.
