The Governor of Katsina State, Aminu Masari, says the current security challenges in the state had affected the full implementation of the state’s 2021 budget.
The governor disclosed this while presenting the state’s proposed 2022 budget estimates before the state House of Assembly.
“As we are all aware, implementation of the 2021 budget has been largely affected by the security challenges across the state.
“Funds that were supposed to be utilised by the state government to execute meaningful projects and programmes were committed to funding security operations in the state.
“It is imperative to mention that the state government has been up and doing in providing the needed support to the security agencies.
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“Apart from the provision of office, residential and hotel accommodation and other ad hoc support, the state government releases funds monthly for the maintenance of security operational vehicles and equipment.
“This is in addition to payment of troops/personnel allowance for “security interventions and security surveillance programmes; joint security operation; ‘Sharan Daji’; operation Mesa; Puff Adder operation; joint security Operation-Sahel Sanity, among others.
“The state government also recently launched another special joint clearance operation by security agencies with the assistance of members of Katsina security Initiative and Vigilante Groups, who were trained for the purpose.
“These have been yielding positive results through the dislodgment of criminals from their hideouts and recovery of rustled animals and returning them to their rightful owners, while kidnapped victims were being rescued and reunited with their respective families.
“That notwithstanding, the state government has recorded progress in funding the on-going projects and executing new projects and programmes”, Masari said.
The governor further explained that during the period under review, the security sub-sector witnessed two major remarkable achievements in the state.
“The establishment of 3-Tier security structures of the local governments and the engagement of community leaders and traditional rulers in security management.
“And the signing of the Security Challenges (Containment) Executive Order in the State.
“Government observed that the 1976 local government reforms, which removed the powers of traditional rulers, had created a serious gap without offering veritable replacement.
“Given the myriad security challenges of today, and coupled with the clamour across the entire nation on Community Policing Initiative;
”The present Administration considered it imperative to revisit the system and bring on board the traditional institutions and other relevant stakeholders to participate directly in security decisions and management.
“Consequently, the state local government Law 2000 was amended to create 3-tier Security Committees, namely Local Government, District and Village Security Committees in the 34 LGAs of the State.” He said.
Masari added that their functions and activities were further spelt out as among others: providing the security agencies with relevant information, to aid in effective policing, while ensuring the arrest of offenders and handing them over.
This is in addition to collaborating with security agencies in the general maintenance of Law and Order at the levels of local governments, Districts, Villages and Wards of the State.
“In order to consolidate on the successes recorded, the Central Working Committee chaired by the Secretary to the state government, had conducted sensitisation workshops and inaugurated the local government security committees successfully in Katsina, Daura and Funtua Zones.
“The strategy is making a headway through active participation of communities on security matters of their localities, thereby reducing criminality across the state”, the governor said.
“While the effort of the 3-Tier Security structure has been yielding positive results, the security challenges (Containment) Executive Order, which I signed recently, is another milestone achievement recorded in the security sub-sector.
“The measure, a collective resolve of the North-West states to rid the region of its common security challenges, is, among others, aimed at restricting communication, food and fuel supplies to suspected armed bandits and kidnappers.
“The measure was also to curtail their nefarious activities, especially in the frontline Local Governments. The strategy has so far succeeded in strangulating the activities of the bandits and weakening their capacity for attacks.
“Similarly, the Judiciary was not left behind in the quest to bring lasting peace and security to the State. The Judiciary has come up with the Community Conflict Resolution Centres across the State.
“The centres are avenues created to ensure peaceful co-existence among the people living in the same community, keep proper records of people who buy houses and land and those that are given houses on rent in the community, as well as handle simple, civil and non-criminal cases.
“This will no doubt reduce congestion in our courts. The centres, so far established across the state, are recording tremendous successes”, he disclosed.