Northern Speakers Want Northern Govs Included In Amnesty C’ttee

The Northern Speakers Forum on Sunday appealed to the Federal Government to include Northern Governors in the Amnesty Committee set up to tackle the Boko Haram insurgency.

A communiqué signed by the communiqué chairman, Mr Stephen Onmeje, and made available to newsmen in Minna, commended the Federal Government for taking steps that would lead to negotiations and possible acceptance of the amnesty.

The speakers also want various state governments, elders and traditional rulers from the region to ensure that peace returned to the region in the interest of? the region’s development.

They called on the National Assembly to hasten the passage of the Hydro Power Producing Area Development Commission (HYPPADEC) Amendment Act, 2012 to ensure the commencement of the commission’s activities.

“Conference commends the Niger Government for contributing substantially to the success of the HYPPADEC and recommended that all states that cut across rivers Niger and Benue to be included in HYPPADEC states.

“On Mambilla Hydro Electricity Project, the forum resolved to continue persuade the Federal Government for the actualisation of the project.

“Conference thanked Federal Government for the construction of new Federal Secretariat in Lafia, the Nasarawa State capital, in line with its communiqué after the forum’s 22nd meeting held in Lafia on Dec. 10, 2011,’’ it said.

The communiqué also commended the present constitutional amendment process and suggest that the contentious issues, such absolute autonomy of the legislature, local government autonomy and revenue sharing be properly addressed.

It also called on the Federal Government to repair the dilapidated roads, such as? Lambatta-Lapai-Bida-Mokwa road in Niger, Nguru-Gashua-Bayamari road in Yobe as well as the completion of Kano-Maiduguri road expansion.

“The conference appealed to the Federal Government to revisit the 33KVA power project from Gombe to Damaturu and Maiduguri,’’ the communique said. (NAN)