It is indisputable that the North East sub-region is the worst hit by security challenges confronting the country. The insurgency and attacks on communities have unleashed unprecedented destruction and massive displacement of people. The socio- economic life of the people and infrastructure have also been senselessly destroyed.
Today kidnappings taking place in states like Adamawa and Taraba have compounded the security problems in the region. Humanitarian challenges arising from the effects of the security challenges have become an additional burden on the state governments. Worst still are the incessant attacks by the dispersed insurgents in parts of Adamawa, Borno and Yobe states despite the remarkable efforts by the federal government and the security forces to bring the situation to an end.
The challenges facing states in the sub-region have resulted in huge collateral damages far beyond their financial means. More than at any other time, the states are now contending with fallouts of the insurgency. More than 40 per cent of the impacted communities have no shelter over their heads while substantial number of others cannot return to their homes. To make matters worse, the persistence of attacks has compounded the problems of food security. This is singularly responsible for a large percentage of people in the impacted communities still depending on humanitarian assistance. All these need to be carefully considered if the predicaments of the people in states such as Adamawa, Borno and Yobe are to be addressed.
Clearly, the challenges as a result of insecurity in the North East cannot be addressed without a change of attitude on governance. The looting and diversion of public funds which some of the states were known for in the past must stop. Equally, the arrogance and promotion of divisive sentiments just to divert attention from looting by kleptomaniacs masquerading as leaders must stop. Leadership in all situations particularly in the North East should be about service and sacrifice. A day of reckoning will definitely come to those who have betrayed and pauperized the people of the sub-region.
Governments that emerged in the North East after the last elections must be commended for demonstrating leadership and commitment to ushering in a glimmer of hope that will take the states out of the current doldrums despite the overbearing influence of those who brought them to office. However, to make the desired impact, the state governments have to take bold and justifiable steps to free themselves from the apron strings of their godfathers.
To make the environment conducive for development, states, especially Adamawa, Borno and Yobe, must complement the efforts of the security forces in order to end the insurgency that has ravaged the region. Urgent steps should be taken to mobilise the people to complement the efforts of the security forces as recently advocated by the Shehu of Borno. Saboteurs, sympathisers and beneficiaries of the criminal activities must be identified and handed over to the security forces. The insurgency cannot be won with fifth columnists in the midst of the people and an operational environment where sabotage and insider compromise is rife. Security forces should be prepared to anticipate the strategies of the insurgents at the end phase of the insurgency and post conflict stage.
The other critical requirement is for the states to cooperate fully with the president and the federal government to benefit from the intervention programmes they have missed due to the insurgency. Fortunately, the president is well disposed to and passionate about rebuilding the North East. Governors in the region should concentrate on governance and not politics now that their legitimacy has been affirmed.
A particularly critical institution that is very instrumental to efforts to rebuild the North East is the North East Development Commission (NEDC). Caution should be exercised to ensure that the initiative is not marred by the lack of patriotism, politics and corruption. Corruption has stifled development in the region in the past. Elite insensitivity and greed have sabotaged the good intentions of the federal government in establishing the Niger Delta Development Commission. Anti-corruption agencies and other federal bodies charged with monitoring contract awards and projects should keep an eye on the activities of the North East Development Commission (NEDC).
It is also important to note that the region is not by any standard poor. The North East is a region richly blessed with abundant natural and human resources which if judiciously deployed could transform the sub-region. All the states in the North East have at least three major natural resource endowments. What has been lacking is honest, credible and purposeful leadership that can mobilise, exploit and deploy the resources for the benefits of the citizenry. Criminal looting of local governments and states funds have led to the near collapse of governance at all levels. The insurgency that engulfed the region from 2009 was driven by social injustice, poverty imposed by corruption and mismanagement of state resources and failed expectations. Sadly, despite these, corruption especially the wanton diversion of state resources is rampant. Governors who decided to stop the irresponsible diversion and theft of public funds and demonstrated their commitment to good governance should be commended. What remains is to pursue and deal with persons who are embodiment of corruption.
States in the sub-region must think outside the box by exploring other strategies to take the region out of the present doldrums. Reliance on civil service approach to drive development is not likely to yield the desired results. It is gratifying to note that the Governor of Yobe state Mai Mala Buni has shown the way by inviting World Bank to exploit the abundant mineral resources in the state. Borno state Governor, Prof Babagana Zulum, is similarly seeking World Bank assistance to rehabilitate some critical projects. The governor of Bauchi state, Mr. Bala Mohammed, is also contemplating same. Governor of Taraba state, Mr. Darius Isiaku, is reportedly exploring the option of harnessing the abundant natural resources in the state to kick start development. Taraba state is reported to be the most endowed in terms of natural resources in the entire North. Sadly, the state has been enmeshed in intractable inter communal conflicts, banditry and kidnapping.
To boost development in the North East, a sub-regional development framework is very vital. The example of states in the South West where a sub-regional security, economic and development blue print has been produced should be emulated. Immediate attention should go to tapping the enormous resources in the sub-region and improving the federal and inter-state road networks. The whole country will benefit immensely from the Mambilla Hydro Power Project, oil exploration in the Bauchi/Gombe axis and the revitalisation of the Lake Chad Basin. Also, particularly worthy of revisiting is the fate of the North East College of Arts and Science (NECAS). One legacy of the defunct North East that cannot be forgotten easily is the promotion of unity among students from the region and bridging the gap between the sub-region and other parts of the country.
The absence of good governance is singularly responsible for the present state of affairs in the sub-region. State governments in the geopolitical zone must therefore shun corruption, mismanagement and marginalising any group. Those entrusted with the mandate and resources of the people must demonstrate highest level of sensitivity and sympathy for the plight of the citizenry.
Gadzama OFR, mni is former DG, SSS
