Emir of Maradun in Zamfara state, Alhaji Garba Mohammad Tambari, has appealed to governors in the North-west zone to adopt the peace option initiated by the Zamfara state government to end the menace of banditry in their respective states.
Speaking while receiving the state government’s committee on RUGA project in his palace Sunday, the monarch said the peace initiative by the government of Bello Mohammed Matawalle had yielded positive impacts both socially and economically.
“Barely three months in the saddle, peace has been restored during Governor Matawalle’s administration. So, I am appealing to our neighbouring states of Sokoto, Kebbi, Katsina and Kaduna to emulate Matawalle’s initiative,” Tambari stated.
He commended the foresight of Governor Matawalle in initiating the peace process with the bandits at the instance of the security agents, saying high-profile personalities had been commending the governor’s peace move.
“Many important personalities in the country have been calling me, to express their appreciation to the government’s peace initiative and we are grateful to all for their concern,” he said.
500 housing units for RUGA
Meanwhile, the committee had visited a forest reserve at Rikwa village under Dansadau Emirate council of Maru local government area of the state.
The committee said it was considering commencement of construction 500 housing units in each settlement for Fulani herders.
A statement signed by the press secretary, Office of the Secretary to the State Government, Idris Salisu, and made available to Blueprint, said about 20,000 hectares of land had been identified for the programme to house a grazing reserve for cattle, a dam, schools for both western and Islamic education, hospital, veterinary clinic, mosque, cattle market as well as milk processing factory.
Idris further said the committee, led by the special adviser to the governor on security, Abubakar Mohammed Dauran, comprises of land surveyors, works engineers and agriculturalists among other experts, drawn from the state ministries and agencies.
Addressing Rikwa community, Alhaji Dauran said they were at the area to intimate them on the government’s initiative and to make the area very lively for the Fulani herders.
Dauran called on repentant bandits to accept the government’s intention and initiatives in good faith, saying the PDP-led administration in the state would leave no stone unturned to ensure the lost glory of Zamfara returns.
Dauran further said, under the arrangement, government would establish same structure of RUGA settlement in Maradun and Gidan Jaja in Zurmi local government areas after which same would also go round the rest of the local government areas of the state.
