Details of what north central governors discussed in Benue emerge

Governors of the North Central region have risen from a meeting in Makurdi, the Benue State capital with a resolve to promote ranching of livestock, agriculture and general security of lives and property in states of the region.

Chairman of the North Central Governors Forum and Governor of Niger State, Alhaji Abubakar Sani Bello read the communique at the end of the meeting held at the Benue Peoples House Makurdi.

He said it was the resolution of the forum that the region and the nation in general is going through challenging times occasioned by insecurity, low agricultural production, infrastructural deficit and low internally generated revenue which require collective sense of patriotism and innovation to surmount.

“Request for services of Agro-Rangers of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps to provide security for farmers and farming activities, consideration of modern ways of livestock farming through promotion of ranching and assistance to genuine livestock farming” were also part of the resolutions.

“Member states should develop fishery production programme and approach Central Bank of Nigeria for funding in order to create employment and to also take advantage of the the National Agricultural Land Development Authority, NALDA to encourage farming activities,” the communique noted.

On security, the forum appealed to the Federal Government to support the region in its ongoing Digital Technology projects and other security preventive measures so as to fight all forms of criminality.

Establishment of Military Camps or Training Grounds in forests to block movement of hoodlums, resuscitation of peace and security committees at local government levels as well as synergy with the Nigeria Police for recruitment and training of community policing personnel for security at the grassroots among others were also considered.

For improved infrastructure and revenue generation, member states resolved that roads be developed in liaison with the FG and states allowed to manage using tolling system as well as enactment of enabling laws to enhance revenue generation as response to the dwindling FAAC allocation.

Governor Samuel Ortom of Benue State had earlier appreciated the Chairman and members of the forum for choosing the state to host the meeting and prayed God to enable the North Central region realize resolutions at the meeting.