…As S/East govs set to provide FG details of joint security programme***

The Borno government on Sunday reopened the Maiduguri-Dikwa road, five years after it was closed as a result of the Boko Haram insurgency.

The 86km road was closed to motorists in 2015 at the peak of Boko Haram activities in the Northern part of the state.

Gov. Babagana Zulum, accompanied by the Theatre Commander, Operation Lafiya Dole, Maj.-Gen. Olusegun Adeniyi and the General Officer Commanding 7 Division Operation Lafiya Dole, Brig.-Gen. Abdul Khalifa, reopened the road.

Gov. Zulum, in his remark, commended the Nigerian military for its successes in degrading ‘Boko Haram’ insurgents that had been terrorising people in the state.

He said that the reopening of the road would resuscitate socio-economic activities, especially fishing businesses, crippled in the Lake Chad region.

He explained that motorists traveling on the road would move freely to their destination without military escort following improved security.

Zulum stated that the government was also consulting with the military to ensure that travellers on the Ngala and Kala balge roads move without being escorted.

He warned members of the National Union of Road Transport Workers(NURTW), and other unions against escorting commuters on the highway.

“Everybody in Borno is aware of what is going on the highways. It is not something new and our presence here is not to vindicate anybody.

”The Nigerian law does not prohibit the transportation of good within the state. So therefore, you cannot ask a driver to pay money for transporting sachet water anywhere within the state.

”How can you transport pure water and tomatoes and you are ask to pay N19, 000 fora six-tyre vehicle.

”This government and the people will fight to see an end of these activities in Borno, “he said, adding that the government would regulate activities of lorries and trucks in the state.

While donating six patrol vehicles to the Nigerian military in Mafa, Zulum said the gesture was in an effort to compliment the federal government’s effort to curtail insurgency.

Speaking earlier, Adeniyi warned that any driver who gives money at any check point would be arrested and prosecuted.

He also warned the officials of the NURTW against imposing unnecessary charges and levies on commuters thereby exposing them to untold hardship.

“It is generally known that it is very difficult for business to thrive if there is no peace and security. It is also a known fact that Boko Haram is using some of the fishing businesses to fund their campaign of terror,”he said.

Adeniyi said that the military was ready to provide enabling environment for the fishing activities to thrive, but warned that under no circumstances should the community pay money, assistance or gratification to the Boko haram.

“If we find you collaborating with Boko Haram or given them gratification secrately, we will stop you from doing the fishing activities,” he warned.

Also speaking, Alhaji Bello Moduganari, the Borno NURTW Chairman, and Alhaji Abacha Mandala, the Chairman of Fish Farmers Association of Nigeria, commended the government for reopening of the road.

Moduganari assured the government of the union’s cooperation to the military’s counter insurgency operations.

Mandala also  said that the reopening of the road would revamp fishing activities and provide livelihood to millions of fishermen in the state.

Still on insecurity, the South East Governors Forum (SEGF) has promised to provide the Federal Government details of its joint security programme at the appropriate time.

Gov. Dave Umahi of Ebonyi, the Chairman of the forum, disclosed this on Sunday in Enugu while briefing newsmen after a meeting.

Also read:  Nigerian troops close Maiduguri-Damaturu highway amidst fresh Boko Haram attacks

Umahi said that the forum had on July 28, 2019, formed the South East Joint Security Forum and inaugurated a committee to work out the modalities on Aug. 31, same year.

He said the forum had been briefed by the committee and was satisfied with the progress so far made in that regard.

“We took briefing from the committee and are satisfied with all arrangements that will lead to South East State Houses of Assembly enacting a law to back up the programme.

“We have written the Federal Government in this regard and at the appropriate time we shall be inviting them to note the details of the programme,” he said.

Umahi assured the people of the region of their security as the respective state governments had put in place adequate security measures to safeguard them.

The SEGF chairman said the forum was satisfied with the extent and quality of rehabilitation work at the Akanu Ibiam International Airport, Enugu, and the Second Niger Bridge.