The Niger State Governor in North Central Nigeria, Abubakar Sani Bello has called to be included in the National Institute for Policy and Strategic Studies (NIPSS) 2023 case study.
Governor Sani Bello who decried the devastating effect of ungoverned spaces in the state, especially in the area of security challenges stated this during a visit by officials of the Institute led by its Director General, Prof Ayo Omotayo, in Minna the state capital on Wednesday.
“Despite the efforts of government in collaboration with the security agencies, in tackling insecurity the state has become a herculean task due to the ungoverned spaces,“ added Governor Bello
He expressed optimism that if the issue of ungoverned spaces is well handled, it would curb security challenges in the country.
“For State like Niger we need to have more Brigades and Battalions, at the same time there should be military trainings in most of these forests and ungoverned spaces.
“When you create activities it becomes difficult for criminal elements and bandits to take over communities.”
The Governor further said the choice for Niger State is in order considering the fact that it is housing three hydroelectric dams with the 4th one about to be commissioned soon.
He called on the Institute to ensure that the state gets adequate support for people affected by the activities of the dams.
The Director General of the National Institute for Policy and Strategic Studies, Prof. Ayo Omotayo explained that they were in the state on a familiarization visit ahead of the 2022 study year.
Prof. Omotayo who said the theme for this year’s study is “Industrialization, Energy, Security and Climate Change,“ added that Niger state is among the 7 states to be used as case studies in the areas of energy and security.
He noted that Niger State is critical to their study as it has the highest land mass in Nigeria with a lot of ungoverned spaces with four dams situated in the state.
The Director General said those that will participate in the study will visit the state at a later date.
PIAK
