Presidency should dialogue with Boko Haram– Mark

Posted by admin Boko Haram, Goodluck Jonathan (2010-present), Latest Politics, Presidency Wednesday, May 9th, 2012

President of the Senate David Mark has urged the Presidency to open up dialogue with Boko Haram due to the Islamic sect’s continuing insurgency in the North.

Mark, who resumed his legislative duties on Tuesday after a brief medical trip abroad, decried growing insecurity in the country, despite efforts to check the violent activities of Boko Haram.

In a brief speech to senators, Mark said the situation was unacceptable and required urgent steps to stem the tide.

He said, “I would like to add that these misguided groups are our brothers and sisters; government must therefore explore all avenues to discuss with them.

“On the other hand, those who are aggrieved must find a better way to express their grievances. It is in the national interest that there is peace and security particularly if we want the transformation agenda to succeed.”

Mark added that the Boko Haram had declared war on Nigeria and Nigerians, noting that the escalating acts of terror not only threaten Nigeria’s unity, but also challenge the very human values we all believe in.

“In spite of all these bombings, we should not despair or be disillusioned. We shall overcome through our collective determination.

“This is the time for concerted action by all Nigerians; ethnicity, political affiliation, religious belief notwithstanding. We have a real problem and we must handle it with the seriousness it deserves and we should never politicise it.

“Divisive statements or finger pointing are not helpful. Attempts to apportion blame for failures at this time of the burgeoning terror threats will not lead to any practical and long lasting solution. The primary responsibility of tackling this challenge lies with the government but that notwithstanding, we all have roles to play.”

He also urged security agencies to intensify their pre-operational responsibilities and improve their operational capacities. “Their major task must be to thwart and prevent these bombings,” he added.

On oversight functions, Mark challenged the Senate committees to intensify their oversight of government agencies.

He said, “Let me use this opportunity to state unequivocally that we must improve on our oversight functions. The inefficiency and corruption in the system, which the various investigation committees have uncovered, could have been reasonably abated if we had carried out our oversight functions exhaustively and effectively.

“In the course of our oversight functions some of these incidences could have either been stopped or reduced to the barest minimum.”

Mark then urged the committees to prepare their reports on their activities in the land six months and make it available for consideration at plenary before the summer break.

“In this regard, all Committees must submit their reports before our summer recess and as soon as we resume we shall take the Committee Reports in plenary.

“May I remind us that in the course of preparing our Committee Reports, we should look at the capital appropriation released for the first two quarters of the year and weigh it against the implementation of the capital projects,” he said.

He assured that the Senate would work tirelessly to enact laws for the peace, order and good governance of the federation and with the fear of God.

-Punchwp_posts