The Plateau State Governor Simon Lalong at the opening ceremony of the zonal public hearing of the Senate committee on the review of the 1999 Constitution held on Wednesday, declared his support for community policing stating that it is a viable tool in addressing the current security challenges in the country.
According to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), the governor who was at the event held in the state capital spoke about the recent attacks in Jos North and Riyom Local Government Areas, he described it as barbaric and callous as it had claimed the lives of many including women and children in Dong Community of Jos North and Kwi, Community in Riyom.
He further affirmed his advocacy for community policing, adding that his administration is canvassing for the success of such programs at the grassroots. “As a Government, we have canvassed for policing that is grassroots-oriented which we believe will better address the current insecurity in the country,” he said. “Hopefully, this constitutional review should lead to better policing that is closer to the people to stop this kind of unacceptable murders,” he said.
Lalong revealed that his administration has strengthened “our Operation Rainbow, which is backed by law and has helped us tremendously in tackling crime and insecurity in the state.” However, to effectively achieve its aim, he noted that the Northern Governor’s Forum had set up committees on restructuring and the Role of Traditional Rulers adding that the issue of Local Government Creation would also be addressed during the constitutional review.
The Chairman of the Northern Governors Forum revealed that a committee has been set up by the Forum on Restructuring, Role of Traditional Rulers, Engagement with the Youth and even Economic Reforms of the Region. “The reports of these committees will also be submitted to the Constitutional Review Committee for consideration,” he said.
ALSO READ: POINT OF VIEW 7: AFRICA’S CULTURAL HERITAGE AND THE CASE FOR RESTITUTION
Meanwhile, he urged that rather than overheating the polity in the social or conventional media, various interest groups should present their perspectives on how the 1999 constitution should be reviewed to address the yearnings and aspirations of Nigerians in the public hearing.
The chairman, senate committee on the review of the 1999 constitution, Sen. Ovie Omo-Agege, who was represented by Sen. Adamu Abdullahi, the leader of the North Central zone committee of the review the exercise was a critical phase in the development and advancement of a nation. “Public hearings are critical to participatory democracy and indispensable in a constitution amendment exercise,” he said.
He called on Nigerians to support the National Assembly in its desire to bring a positive transformation in the country irrespective of their political affiliations.
Written By: David Ugbabe
SOURCE
