An eleven – man delegation led by the Chairman, Presidential Committee on the North East initiative, Lt. General T.Y Danjuma (Rtd) paid a courtesy call to military service Chiefs in Abuja. The courtesy call which was a follow – up to the initial visit by the PCNI to security personnel in the North East, among other things was meant to convey appreciation to the military for degrading the insurgents in the North East region. The parleys also highlighted areas of mutual interest and collaboration in the quest for long term development in the region as the only means of nurturing a sustainable peace.
The chairman Lt. General T.Y Danjuma Rtd, who was ably represented by Mr. Tijanni Tumsah while at the Headquarters of the military on a courtesy call to the Chief of Defence Staff, Major-General Abayomi Gabriel Olonishakin, Chief of Army Staff, General T.Y. Buratai, Chief of Naval staff, Rear Admiral Ibok-Ete Ekwe Ibas and Chief of Air Staff, Air Vice Marshal Sadique Abubakar, expressed the heartfelt appreciation of the Federal Government to the Military for their gallantry in successfully combating the insurgency in the North East.
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While explaining the mandate of the PCNI as the apex body in charge of coordinating all intervention efforts in the North east, Mr. Tumsah said that the Buhari Plan, the roadmap to the rehabilitation and development of the North East, synthesizes studies and surveys from various relevant stakeholders.
He identified the military as a critical partner in the redevelopment of the North East Region, and solicited for information sharing with the military particularly with regard to areas safe for building and reconstruction.
He said further that the expertise of the army corps of engineers would be sought to enhance the reconstruction efforts. He said further that the need to restore normalcy to the local economy of the Lake Chad region is paramount considering the benefits Nigeria stands to gain from a resurgent fisheries industry.
The Chairman of the Subcommittee on Security Stabilization and Peace Building, Brig. Gen. Habila Vetinaba informed the Service Chiefs of findings at a just concluded tour to security formations and camps in the North East last year by the committee and said notably was the absence of Screening equipment at the camps, Need for Biometric data capture of IDPs, Issues of demining, need for combat air lift equipment, boosting of transmission rang of operation Lafia Dole and prompt payments of operational allowances to Military personnel.
Responding, all the service chiefs appreciated the efforts of the Federal Government and assured the committee of its total commitment to ensuring peace and stability to Nigeria.
They all promised to collaborate with PCNI and promised their expertise in terms of Building and Reconstruction, Provision of airlift for items to be conveyed to the North East and Personnel for hospitals e.t.c, The Chief of Naval staff, Rear Admiral Ibok-Ete Ekwe Ibas informed the committee of the provision of a Naval outpost to Baga area of the Lake Chad region to ensure safety and bounce back in the economic activity of the region.
The PCNI Subcommittee on Security Stabilization and Peace Building will within this week, pay courtesy visit to Inspector General of Police, Comptroller General of Customs, Commandant General NSCDC, and Comptroller General of Immigration, Director General NDLEA, and Comptroller General of Prisons.
Odutayo Oluseyi
