UYO – THE Senate, yesterday, called on the Federal Government to
immediately set up Special Courts for terrorism crimes if activities of
members of the Boko Haram sect that have been engaging in bombings
leading to massive loss of lives and wanton destruction of property must
end.
Rising from its retreat yesterday, the senate also called on the
Federal Government to strengthen those laws relating to insecurity and
terrorism, adding that there was also the need for the enactment of a
witness protection law as that would
help encourage citizens to volunteer useful information about perpetrators of violence.
help encourage citizens to volunteer useful information about perpetrators of violence.
The Senate while promising to support the federal government in
increased funding for security agencies with greater focus on
intelligence gathering, however, stressed the need for the Federal
Government to intensify measures to create more employment
opportunities, reduce poverty and inequality.
Politicians, clerics fuelling insecurity
The Senate also accused some clerics and politicians of aggravating
the security situation in the country through hate and divisive
utterances.
The Retreat with the theme, “the National Assembly and National
Security: Securing the future for Development” was held in Uyo, Akwa
Ibom State with all the senators, some former Senators and resource
persons in attendance.
In a communiqué issued at the end of the retreat, the senators agreed
that a law to monitor and regulate preaching should be enacted and that
all Nigerians must be educated and enlightened on this as part of moves
to ensure unity and to be resolute and focused in building a stronger
country.
Part of the communiqué which was read by the Deputy Senate leader,
Senator Abdul Ningi read: “That the Federal Government should create
special courts for terrorism crimes; that the war on corruption should
be intensified from all quarters; that the Federal government should
enhance bilateral and multilateral networking in curbing terrorism.
“Governments at all levels are called upon to increase support to
communities that are affected by environmental degradation through the
effective deployment and use of Ecological Fund, even as it resolved to
take judicious actions in facilitating the implementation of the
resolutions of the 2012 retreat.”
In order to perform effectively and guide against rubbishing the
image of the upper chamber, the Senate resolved to strengthen its will
and independence to perform oversight functions more effectively by
avoiding areas of compromise with Ministries, Departments and agencies
of government, MDAs.
Part of the resolution was: “That good and effective governance must
be entrenched through effective implementation and monitoring of
appropriation laws; that the government should increase its logistic
supports for Borno State and other states affected by security
challenges.”
In the communiqué issued, the observations were “that effective
national security is crucial for meaningful sustainable development in
Nigeria; that there is a collapse of positive value and allegiance to
national symbol and core values; that causes of the current waves of
insecurity are multifaceted and include among other things poverty,
unemployment, illiteracy, ethnicity, religion, etc.
“The current level of insecurity has impacted negatively on the
Nigerian economy and especially the northern part; that issues of
justice, corruption, and parliamentary oversight require greater
attention in order to enhance effective national security.
“The various efforts of the Federal Government in curtailing the
current insecurity in the country are noted and commendable; that
countering terrorism and insecurity in the country require new
legislation and re-examination of existing legal framework on security.
“Partnering with the international community to curb incidences of
insecurity and terrorism is imperative especially given the
international dimensions and connections of terrorist organisation; that
in addition to the current measures being pursued by government there
is need for dialogue as a feasible solution to addressing and resolving
the Boko Haram attacks while the sect should be encouraged to embrace
dialogue, as there is a need to re-examine how the judiciary adjudicates
on cases of terrorism.
“That States with the severest environmental degradation seem to have
been worst hit by security challenges; and that the security challenges
facing Nigeria, though enormous. are surmountable.”
