By Correspondent in Minna
Niger state government says it has signed into law the establishment of Security Trust Fund (STF) to enhance the management and sustance of funding for all security related activities especially in the areas of provision of both personnel and equipments.
The Secretary to the State Government (SSG), Alhaji Ahmed Ibrahim Matane, disclosed this while briefing journalists after the State Executive Council (SEC) meeting at government house in Minna on Wednesday.
The SSG, who was joined in the briefing by the Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, Mr. Nasara Dan-Mallam, said the bill, assented to by Governor Abubakar Sani Bello was to provide the opportunity for private sector and individuals to adequately check security threats as part of their corporate social responsibilities.
The SSG observed that solely depending on governments to contain security related challenges faced by governments had not yielded the desired results, a development he added made the setting up of the STF very necessary.
According to him, the committee would be under the chairmanship of a non-partisan personality,to make it independent, adding that such a personality would be screened by the Niger State House of Assembly for confirmation with only one government representative in the eleven-man committee.
“Setting up of the committee will also enable the state government the opportunity to concentrate on other responsibilties before the present administration, especially in reducing the attention in fighting crime and other forms of criminalities.
Matane, who noted the state had been on the news lately in the fight against; insurgency, banditry, kidnapping, the SSG said,”that the STF is to take full responsibility in allocating and managing the security fund for effective and efficient dealing of security challenges.”
Meanwhile, the Commanders of the armed bandits terrorising parts of Niger state met in Shiroro recently for a dialogue with Niger state government to harmonize their position with a view to restoring peace in the state.
The SSG, who disclosed to newsmen however said the state government did not honour the invitation because it was already in the picture of what the bandits were up to hence, opted for, ‘the carrot and the big stick approach’ in dealing with the situation.
Matane said, “The Commanders of the armed bandits called for a dialogue in Shiroro but there was no government representative at the meeting because it was only bandits in all so as to have peace in the state, although government has its own apprach too”.
Considering the nature and sensitivity in the handling of the security issues which led to the destruction of hundreds of lives and property worth millions of naira, Matane said, “We may engage repentant bandits in dialogue, using the stick and carrots approach as a government.”
