By Henry Umoru
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.
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.
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.”
