Niger State Governor, Abubakar Sani Bello has embraced the idea of the National Institute for Policy and Strategic Studies (NIPSS) to include Niger state as one of the states to be used as case studies in their research for this year.
Speaking during a visit by officials of the Institute led by its Director General, Prof Ayo Omotayo, at the Government House Minna, Governor Sani Bello decried the devastating effect of ungoverned spaces on the state especially in the area of security challenges.
He said despite the efforts of government in collaboration with the security agencies, in tackling insecurity in the state has become a herculean task due to the ungoverned spaces.
The Governor expressed optimism that if the issue of ungoverned spaces is well handled, it would curb security challenges in the country.
He then recommended that more Brigades and Battalions should be provided in the state considering its size.
“I am glad you are looking into this and Niger is being used as a case study.
“For State like Niger we need to have more Brigades and Battalions, at the same time there should be military trainings in most of these forests and ungoverned spaces.”
According to him, “when you create activities it becomes difficult for criminal elements and bandits to take over communities.”
On the issue of energy, the Governor said the choice for Niger State is in order considering the fact that it is housing three hydroelectric dams with the 4th one about to be commissioned soon.
He called on the Institute to ensure that the state gets adequate support for people affected by the activities of the dams.
Earlier, the Director General of the National Institute for Policy and Strategic Studies, Prof. Ayo Omotayo explained that they were in the state on a familiarization visit ahead of this year’s study.
Prof. Omotayo said the theme for this year’s study is ” Industrialization, Energy, Security and Climate Change” adding that Niger state is among the 7 states to be used as case studies in the areas of energy and security.
He noted that Niger State is critical to their study as it has the highest land mass in Nigeria with a lot of ungoverned spaces with four dams situated in the state.
The DG said those that will participate in the study will visit the state in a later date.
