Economic Development: Gov Sani Bello calls for collective action on Internal Security

By; ABDULL-AZEEZ AHMED KADIR.
Niger State Governor, Abubakar Sani Bello said the economic development and prosperity of Nigeria would remain a mirage unless the issue of internal security is collectively tackled by all stakeholders.
In a statement by Mallam Jibrin Baba Ndace, Media to the Governor, he made the assertion while receiving members of the Senior Course 39 study group 9 of the Armed Forces Command and Staff College (AFCSC), Jaji at Government House, Minna.
Governor Sani Bello noted that security is central in addressing all facets of development hence the need to join effort in fighting it, expressing the need for proactive measures and long term plans in tackling security challenges rather than wait until criminals unleash terror on citizens before actions are taken.
“We must all work together for a secured Nigeria. And in achieving this, we need all stakeholders to collectively work together with federal and state governments across Nigeria – security agencies, traditional, religious, community leaders, youth organization, NGO and vigilante group”.
Governor Sani Bello while appreciating the supportive role of police and other security agencies in tackling crime and criminality in the state, said the study tour was a welcome development and expressed optimism that government would immensely benefit from the findings and suggestions of the study.
He disclosed that since assumption of office over a year ago, his administration has stimulated and re-energized the system and was determined to change the course of events through the institutionalization of due process and financial prudence.
The Governor described the drop in oil revenues as well as the present economic recession as “blessing in disguise” stressing that the implication of the financial down-turn means that the federal and state government must work hard to improvised ways of improving their internally generated revenue (IGR) to achieve sustainable growth and development.
Governor Sani Bello expressed concern that the over-reliance on federation allocation has incapacitated most states in the country resulting in their inability to pay workers salary and deliver service to the people.
Earlier, the team leader, Air Commodore Abubakar Sadiq Liman said members of the senior course 39 of the College were in the state on a study tour to carry out research into critical areas of socio-economic development of the state in particular and the country at large.
Air Commodore Liman disclosed that the team would study development and progress made by the state government in its quest to provide sustainable development for the citizens.
The team leader further stated that they were not in the state to investigate or query the government but to conduct a study that would mutually serve the interest of the state and the college.