By Abdullahi Idris, Bauchi
The Northeast Governors Forum (NEGF) held its 8th meeting in Maiduguri, Borno State, expressing delight at the growing strength of cooperation and collaboration among the governors of the six states of the region, as well as issued a communique, focusing on security and infrastructural development of the region.
The communique was signed by the forum’s Chairman and Governor of Borno State, Professor Babagana Umara Zulum, and read out by the Deputy Chairman, Governor Ahmadu Umaru Fintiri of Adamawa State.
Governor Fintiri reads the communique at the banquet hall of the Government House, Maiduguri, standing amidst Governors of Bauchi, Borno, Gombe, Taraba, and Yobe states having arising from an earlier closed-door deliberation.
The forum emphasized the need for the Federal Government to intervene urgently to address growing banditry in the region, and called for strict compliance with the provisions of the Land Use Act and the Federal Government’s Mining Policy.
The forum also highlighted the growing issue of climate change and environmental degradation, particularly in the region. Again, called for the Federal Government’s intervention in dredging of rivers and effective control on deforestation.
They also called for the reconstruction of road and railway infrastructure along the Enugu-Maiduguri Economic Corridor, which is crucial for regional trade and national unity.
The forum also agreed to domesticate the Education Law 2022 and call for the Northeast Development Commission (NEDC) to be more proactive in development issues.
The forum resolved to promote sub-regional commerce among member states and resuscitate the northeast trade fair in Bauchi in January 2024.
The Forum appreciated the security agencies as well as all the stakeholders for their efforts toward ensuring a lasting peace in the region and appeals for further commitments for the safety and total well-being of the citizens, considering the fact that, the region shares boundaries with neighboring African countries.
