The Senator representing Plateau South and former Governor of Plateau State, Senator Simon Lalong, has declared that unless the government moves swiftly to stop the carnage and rebuild the lives and economies of the people affected by the recent crisis in the state, poverty and more insecurity will prevail.
Speaking on the floor of the Senate during the motion of urgent public importance moved by Senator Diket Plang (Plateau Central) on the Christmas eve attacks, Senator Lalong called for the creation of the North Central Development Commission to fast-track the rebuilding of homes and economic activities of people in the region, which has been under relentless attacks by criminals and bandits.
According to him, those who were displaced in previous attacks have not returned to their places because of the enormity of the devastation wreaked on their lands.
“I kept on hammering. Just like we created the North East Development Commission and are about to create the South East Development Commission, we must look at the creation of the North Central Development Commission to address the damage done to the region by various forms of insecurity.
“That is the only way out because a displaced person for 10 years will definitely be angry. There are people who have been displaced since 2001 and have yet to return to their lands. We must do something to ensure they are resettled,” he said.
In a statement signed by his Special Adviser Media, Dr. Makut Simon Macham, he decried the response of the security agencies to the distress calls during the recent barbaric killings in Bokkos, Barkin Ladi, and Mangu, describing as disappointing the excuse that terrain and distance were hindrances.
The former governor said Operation Rainbow, which has operated in the state for a long time, has troops stationed across the local government areas, particularly those areas that are considered flashpoints.
He questioned the non-use of operational assets such as drones, helicopters, and even military formations such as the Air Force Search and Rescue Center in Kerang, which did not do much even during the last attacks in the villages of Mangu, not far from the base.
Apart from dealing with the criminals, the former Labour and Employment Minister said the non-kinetic approach should also be considered along with military operations, whereby peacebuilding is encouraged, and disputes are addressed before they get out of hand.
He recommended that traditional institutions be given constitutional roles in the constitution because they play a major role in addressing issues within the local environment, particularly where force or military action is not needed at the particular time.
Senator Lalong promised to re-present the bill on the role of traditional rulers, which he championed as Chairman of the Northern Governors Forum, but it failed to be passed by the last Senate.
