Govs’ forum backs Buhari on N/Delta, N/East

The Chairman of the Nigerian Governors’ Forum and Governor of Zamfara State Alhaji Abdulaziz Yari, yesterday said the forum was solidly behind President Muhammadu Buhari’s efforts against the current security challenges in the North-east and the Niger Delta.

Speaking while receiving the British High Commissioner to Nigeria, Mr Paul Arkwright, who paid him a courtesy visit in Abuja, the governor said the federal and state governments were on top of issues regarding the security challenges. He expressed hope that between now and the next two months, the security situation in the country would greatly improve.

A statement signed by his Special Adviser on media, Ibrahim Dosara, quoted the governor as saying that the forum was satisfied with the present level of commitment and success of the military, adding that with the present situation, normal security situation would soon be restored.

Yari commended Buhari in his efforts to consult international communities to find lasting solution to the situation in the Niger Delta, the North-East and the fight against corruption.

He blamed Nigeria’s current economic problems on total dependence on revenue oil and the inability of past leaders to save excess revenues from petroleum products.

He regretted that about 80 to 90 percent of mining activities was carried out in the country by illegal miners from other countries without due revenue to Nigeria. According to the governor, a committee comprising the military, police, other security agents, traditional rulers and politicians was set up by his government to check the menace of illegal mining in the state with a view to ensuring sanity and protection of the people and their environment.

He said based on the report of the committee, only some of the miners had exploration licenses while all had no mining license.

Mr. Arkwright said his visit was to explore areas of collaboration in solid minerals development, the fight against corruption and insurgency.