Lalong tasks Northern SSGs on security

Plateau State Governor, Simon Lalong, has called on Secretaries to State Government (SSGs) of the 19 Northern states to work together against insecurity in the region.

While receiving the 19 SSGs, who visited him at the new Government House, Little Rayfield, Jos, the governor said: “If we do not work in synergy and collaboration with one another, it will be difficult to tackle issues of insecurity.”

Lalong, who is also the Chairman of the Northern States Governors’ Forum (NSGF), advised the SSGs to work together to get faster results on the challenges facing the North.

Speaking earlier, Kaduna SSG, Balarabe Lawal, who led the delegation on the visit, said they were in the state to review some of the pending issues of the forum.

“The secretaries of the 19 Northern states were at the meeting at the instance of their governors.

“We will, during the meeting, look at reports on security, economic development, education, health, investment, youth employment and others, which are critical to the progress of the region,” he explained.

He also said the issue of a commercial bank with controlling shares from the region, which had been on the table for a long time despite financial commitments by some member states, needed resolution as soon as possible to boost economic revival of the region.

Lawal commended Lalong for his proactive leadership style in the region.

In his response, the governor appreciated the support and sacrifices of the SSGs to the growth of the region.

His words: “As governors of the region, we are well aware of the challenges we face relating to security, economy, education, health, agriculture, employment and infrastructure among others.

“While we individually address these challenges within our various states, we also realise that working together will give us faster and better results. If we do not work in synergy and collaboration with one another, it will be difficult to tackle issues of insecurity which manifest in insurgency, banditry, kidnapping, violent clashes and attacks of innocent persons.”

The governor urged them to look into the almajiri issue, which the forum had resolved to address once and for all.