Kebbi State Governor, Atiku Bagudu has called on communities across Nigeria to support security agencies in dealing with current security challenges, in the form of logistics and useful information.
The Governor made the call in an interview with State House Correspondents after he met with President Muhammadu Buhari.
The Governor said he was in the State House to thank the Nigerian leader for supporting the State to address some challenges confronting the State.
He said: “I met with the President to brief him among other things, on some security issues related to my State. About two weeks ago, there was a boat incident that caused a number of lives. The President promptly issued a statement, and sent condolence messages as well as support. I appreciated him on behalf of the people of Kebbi State.
“Also, just last week, there was an unfortunate attack by bandits form neighbouring States that killed a number of people in Kebbi State. I briefed the President on that incident and my visit to that area. I appreciated him for promptly directing security agencies to investigate the issue and support us more in dealing with such situations.”
While stressing the need for more support for security agencies, the Governor said:
“Security agencies are doing a great job but they are also human beings. They need a lot of support. They need a lot of community support for information. They need a lot of community support for understanding because sometimes, we are all in a hurry when we are facing challenges.
“The security agencies also have modus operandi. Sometimes they get reports, for instance, that 500 people are coming to attack and maybe the local Divisional Police Officer can only mobilise 20 people; already that confronts him with a challenge.
“So, they need truthful information. They need synergy with vigilante groups and community groups so that they can continue to respond more appropriately. And sometimes they need support with logistics. Communities hardly reflect on all the logistic needs of security agencies. The government will never be able to provide enough. Much is being done but it will never be enough and I am sure in all communities, there are people who can support the Police.”
Presidential fertilizer initiative
The Governor said fluctuations in the rate of foreign exchange would have repercussions, as he disclosed that President Buhari has directed that the price of fertilizer and other inputs should be well regulated.
“The Presidential Fertiliser Initiative has been complicated by the changes in exchange rate. When it commenced about four years ago, the official exchange rate was N305 to $1. Now, the official exchange rate is about N400 to a dollar, which is close to 25% increase.
“But the President has directed that the Presidential Fertiliser Initiative Chairman and the Office of the Vice President and the Ministry of Agriculture should examine how fertiliser can still be made available as close to the N5000 per bag selling price as possible. It may not be N5000 but to as close as possible, even if that involves subsidising. It will definitely be available.
“I think we are doing well. We are doing well in the sense that in the last few years, a lot of investment has been made into agriculture. And even for pre-existing producers, and farmers, a lot of knowledge has been imputed into agriculture such that yields per hectare have gone up.
“So, even while we still have setbacks in some places, with security affecting the ability of people to go to farms, the yield gain has more than compensated for those challenges,” the Governor stated.
Nneka Ukachukwu
