The Zamfara State House of Assembly, under the factional leadership of Speaker Bashir Aliyu Gummi, has condemned Governor Dauda Lawal for allegedly abandoning the people of the state amidst rising insecurity.
Speaking during Wednesday’s sitting, Speaker Gummi alleged that several communities had come under attack within the space of one week.
He cited the case of Jangebe in Talata-Mafara Local Government Area, where hundreds were reportedly abducted and others killed, as well as similar attacks in Damri, Bakura Local Government, and Kyambarawa in Kaura Namoda Local Government Area.
According to him, on Sunday, hundreds of innocent people were abducted while others were killed, the same thing in Bungudu local government along Yarkatsina, innocent people were killed and in Kyambarawa area of Kaura Namoda hundreds were abducted and others killed.
Bashir Aliyu Gumi pointed out that, the dismayed of the factional House was that, Governor Dauda Lawal didn’t even commiserate with the victims nor send any relief to the affected families but exited to proceed on his annual leave with no concern or sympathy to the electorate.
In their separate contributions, Aliyu Ango Kagara Member representing Mafara South said people of his constituency are experiencing serious blood lettings, and that the government is not serious about the security of lives and properties of its electorate.
Aliyu Kagara also condemned the government of failing in its responsibilities, among which is to protect lives and properties of its citizens.
“The communities involved in the latest attacks include Morai, Ruwan Gizo and Jangebe, where several people were killed innocently”
He alleged that, many people are now rendered homeless, and some have lost their families, but the government hasn’t provided any assistance despite the two billion naira security votes the governor receives monthly.
Aliyu Kagara reiterated their readiness ready to go to prison in the defence of their constituents on security issues and no amount of intimidation can stop them.
Member representing Bakura Constituency, Ibrahim Tudu Tukur added that people of his constituency are being abducted on a daily basis saying, only two days ago, hundreds of his innocent constituents were abducted and others killed but Dauda Lawal and his government abandoned them to the mercy of the bandits without any support, concerns or sympathy to the extent that not even a statement was issued from government quarters to show sympathy on the bereaved families.
In his contribution, Ibrahim Tudu Tukur said the government needs to deploy additional CPGs to continue to complement the conventional security outfit, because many of the CPG members were killed with others withdrawing from service.
He alleged that, the thirty thousand naira allowance given monthly to the CPG personnel needed to be reviewed and the death benefits enacted during passage of the bill of 5 million naira be paid to families of fallen members of the group.
Likewise, member representing Bungudu West, Bashir Bello Sarki Zango said bandits have taken control of some villages under his constituency as even two days ago, six (6) CPG members were attacked and killed innocently but the government folded its arms allowing people to be killed arbitrarily which is a clear indication of colossal fairlure on Dauda Lawal’s administration.
Contributing further, Member representing Maradun I, Faruk Musa Dosara said just yesterday, some people were attacked along Mayanchi – Gummi road by the bandits and some are currently undergoing treatment at the hospital while others were taken to the bush by the bandits.
“The government has resorted to telling lies that they have decimated banditry by 70 percent while the situation is getting out of hands now, our road from Mayanchi junction is suicidal and motorists cannot ply the road without escorts provided by security personnel but before now, at any time you can ride on the same road without fear of any attack”
The member representing Tsafe West Constituency, Amiru Ahmed Keta said some of his constituents in wards like Danjibga and its neighbouring villages are controlled by bandits questioning the whereabouts of the 20 percent local government deductions that are being remited to the State Security Trust funds.
He said a law was passed and the money is being deducted, but the government is syphoning it instead of using the funds judiciously.
Amiru drew the attention of the house to set a committee to investigate the matter in order to ascertain the whereabout of all the deducted money.
Member representing Bukkuyum North, Bashir Abubakar Masama moved a motion to investigate the three percent deductions meant for the state owned University Talata-Mafara as educational levy which according to his findings, the university is not receiving a dime from the state government which has also crippled the operation of the institution.
The motion was seconded by Nasiru Abdullahi Maru who said the money must be investigated to know the position of the university in this regard.
Citing the gross abuse of the donor agencies funds ranging from Acreasal, CSDA and AGILE where billions of naira were sunk in controversy over the laws that guide the donors spending and operation citing examples of using CSDA funding to fence government ministries etc .
“The house is aware that the state government is diverting the funds through friends and other cronnies, which the assembly will not accept, the lawmakers concluded”
The House also constituted a committee to investigate how donors’ funds were utilised under the Chairmanship of Aliyu Ango Kagara as chairman, Nasiru Abdullahi Maru, Member, Amiru Ahmed, Member, Ibrahim Tudu Tukur Bakura while Deputy Clark Sani Ibrahim Tudu will serve as the secretary of the committee.
The committee is mandated to enquire from the country office of all the three donor agencies of AGILE, CSDA, and Acreasal in Abuja to ascertain the total amount received and how they were utilised
The house also deliberated on the letter received from the constitutional review committee on the need to create new local government councils areas.
The matter was presented by Faruk Musa Dosara under matters of urgent public importance and second by Nasiru Abdullahi Maru.
The proposed local government areas to be created include :- Dansadau out of Maru local government, Sauri out of Tsafe, Mada and Magami out of Gusau, Jangebe and Kagamo out of Talata-Mafara, Moriki out of Zurmi, Daki-Takwas out of Gummi, kotorkoshi and Nahuche out of Bungudu, Faru out of Maradun, Kasuwar Daji out of Kaura Namoda and Damri out Bakura Local government areas.
AMINU DALHATU
