By AMINU DALHATU
Governor Dauda Lawal of Zamfara State has called for the immediate implementation of resolutions reached at the Nigerian Police Security Summit for the North-West, saying that the region can no longer afford to rely on rhetoric in the fight against insecurity.
Governor Lawal made the call while delivering remarks at the closing ceremony of the summit held at government House Gusau, the Zamfara State capital.
He said the participation of police commissioners from the seven North-West states, security experts, traditional rulers, moderators and other stakeholders provided an opportunity for practical solutions to the security challenges confronting the region.
Governor Lawal assured the Nigerian Police and other security agencies of his administration’s continued support, declaring that, Zamfara would remain available to host similar security conferences whenever necessary.
“Let me tell you, I’m giving you an open cheque. Any time you want to have this conference, if none of the North-West states is ready to host you, please come to Zamfara. We are happy, we are ready, we are committed,” he said.
The governor who urged security agencies to take full responsibility for their constitutional duties and be accountable for their performance, stressed the need for stronger collaboration between the police and other security agencies.
He said the outcome of the summit should translate into concrete action, rather than remaining at the level of discussions and speeches.
“Having heard from all the experts and the combination of ideas from different people, I think it’s high time we move away from rhetorics. Let us go through implementation of everything that we discussed,” Governor Lawal said.
He expressed concern over the daily killings and insecurity in Zamfara, saying it was painful for him as governor to hear about the death of residents for reasons that, in many cases, remained difficult to understand.
He said the Hausa and Fulani communities in Zamfara had lived together for generations and urged stakeholders to reject ethnic sentiments and focus on the common interest of the people.
“Forget about sentiment, forget about politics, but look at reality. If you have this in mind, I’m sure by the time you sleep and wake up, you then think twice that this is time to act before the opportunity slips away,” he said.
Governor Lawal further stressed that security was fundamental to development, saying no meaningful economic or social progress could take place in an atmosphere of insecurity.
He said his administration was prepared to commit whatever resources were necessary to protect the people of Zamfara.
“You cannot quantify security with money. If I’m to spend everything that I have to secure this state, I will do it,” he said.
The governor noted that insecurity prevents people from attending school, farming and engaging in commercial activities, warning that, the absence of security undermines the very essence of development and quality of life.
Governor Lawal promised to personally transmit the communiqué issued at the summit to other governors in the North-West and ensure that the resolutions reached were implemented.
He, however, urged the police and other security agencies to go beyond the communiqué by developing clear action plans with specific timelines and requirements.
Editing by BASIRAT MEMUDU
