Zamfara State Governor, Bello Mohammed Matawalle
By Anthony Maliki
Zamfara State Governor, Bello Mohammed Matawalle has called on the federal government to consider the possibility of coming out with a comprehensive plan of action to sustain peace and dialogue initiated by the state government towards addressing banditry and other criminalities.
He made the call when he received the federal government delegation led by the Attorney-General and Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami which paid a sympathy visit to the state over last Sunday’s fire incident at the Tudun Wada Market, Gusau.
A statement by the director general media public enlightenment and communications, Yusuf Idris Gusau quoted the governor as saying that
all conflicts that have ethnic dimension can best be resolved through dialogue.
Making reference to the Niger Delta unrest, which was resolved through dialogue, Matawalle noted that dialogue option has the potential of addressing the situation in Zamfara and the entire north west region.
He pointed out that while his administration is fighting armed banditry, it is also rolling out various plans for social intervention programme for youths, women and those affected by banditry across the state.
He thanked the delegation and President Muhammadu Buhari over the visit, saying the gesture is a further demonstrated of the president’s fatherly love for the people of the state.
The governor informed the delegation that the Tudun Wada Market fire incident had destroyed 63 shops and that he has since formed a committee to assess the traders’ losses while also planning to redesign parts of the market and rebuild the destroyed buildings.
Earlier, leader of the delegation, Abubakar Malami commended Governor Matawalle’s security approach which he observed is recording success with the federal government proud to be associated with the effort.
Malami who said the president’s prayer is to have a secured Zamfara, north west and the country at large, will continue to provide all the necessary support to adequately attain lasting peace.
He said, the delegation was in the state to commisserate with the people and government over last Sunday’s fire incident that razed down a substantial part of the Tudun Wada, Gusau market and expressed the president’s shared grief.
The Minister further announced the federal government’s desire to collaborate with the state government to bring soccour to the victims of the inferno in addition to the presidential directive to the Minister of Humanitarian Affairs to liase with the state government to provide immediate assistance to the affected traders.
