The governments of Taraba and Benue states are collaborating to work out a lasting solution to end kidnapping and other violent crimes in the two states.
Third term Senator representing the Taraba South at the National Assembly, Emmanuel Bwacha, stated this Tuesday at a reception in his honour in Abuja by his constituents after the inauguration of the 9th National Assembly.
Bwacha said ongoing skirmishes in the state were “largely informed by the activities of criminal elements in the borders of Taraba and Benue,” adding that “government is working assiduously to get to the root of the matter.”
According to Senator Bwacha who sued for peace among Taraba South indigenes, the criminals cash in on internal hostilities to perpetrate acts kidnapping and other violent activities, then demand payment of ransom as well other violent activities.
“I want to call on all of us from the South to embrace peace. If there is anything we need in the south, it’s peace. The devil is using some individuals to create instability in the region and I want to tell us we are simply one set of people, we are brothers and sisters, we don’t need to take up arms against one another; there’s really no need for that.
“The devil is lurking around our neighbourhood to see where they can take advantage of any opening and see that we begin to fight. Whatever we do at the end of the day, we’ll still come and sit down on the round table and dialogue. So why can’t we explore those areas.
“I know the ongoing skirmishes is largely informed by the activities of criminal elements in the borders of Taraba and Benue. The criminals take advantage of this because they know when there is peace, they cannot perpetrate their criminal enterprise and so they want us to be taking arms against ourselves so that they have time to be kidnapping people and laying ransom on individuals to pay.
“So I want to encourage us, let us not be tired, let us explore all avenues that peace should reign, I want to inform you that I am collaborating with my colleague from Benue North West, Senator Gabriel Suswam who was one time governor in the state. The two of us will meet our governors and they are also working out something to ensure that this crisis is brought to an end. So be rest assured that government is working on the ground to get to the root of this matter and we know we will get to the root of it.”
He commended the youth organisations across the state, with specific reference to the Wukari Central Youth on their willingness to strike a peaceful deal.
Bwacha who said he saw his re-election into the 9th Senate for the third time as a challenge, noted that his priority was the provision of portable water to his constituents, adding that arrangements had been made for the importation of two brand new Indian reeds to ensure that the people had access to portable water.
“I have quite a lot I think I would do for my zone, by extension in collaboration with my colleague, Senator Larry, he is here. We are the two PDP senators in the National Assembly, and even the APC Senator. Once in a while we need him also to create an effective synergy with the state government because we are supposed to play complementary role. Where the state cannot reach, we are supposed to reach on behalf of the state.
“That is why we are here and I am trusting God with the good relationship we have with the governor, Arc Darius Ishiaku, my older brother, I am sure we will record remarkable feat in the next four years.
“I want to announce to my constituents, the southern Taraba that one of the key areas I want to focus on is the provision of portable water. As I speak arrangement has been concluded to deliver two brand new reeds to ensure that we access portable water in every rural community in the South. Two brand new Indian-made reeds that would be delivered to my Senatorial District to ensure that every community has access to good portable water and I can assure you other things will follow if the Lord tarries because I know we are a people that is conscious of our environment.
“The entire political landscape, nobody from the South has a dull moment of it comes to accessing what they expect from those that they elected. So we owe it a duty to bring to you the dividends of democracy we have promised to you this cooperation I have explained I am sure the sky will not be only our limit,” Bwacha said.
