Reps approve emergency rule extension in Borno,Yobe, Adamawa

Posted by admin Adamawa, Borno, General Politics, House, Legislature, Top Stories, Yobe Thursday, May 15th, 2014

Service Chiefs brief lawmakers on extension

The House of Representatives has approved President Goodluck Jonathan ‘s request for an extension of the State of Emergency currently in place in Adamawa, Borno and Yobe States.

The President had in a letter addressed to the Speaker of the House, Hon Aminu Waziri and read on the floor of the chamber on Tuesday asked the lawmakers to approve another extension of the emergency rule in the three states.

At a session, the lawmakers sat behind closed doors with Service Chiefs discussing the President’s request. At the end of the meeting which lasted till 5pm the chamber approved the extension.

Revealing the decision to approve the extension spokesman of the House, Zakari Mohammed said members had a rethink after listening to the service chiefs as they briefed the House on the progress so far made since the commencement of the emergency rule in the affected states, and efforts at rescuing the over 200 girls abducted in Chibok.

He said the prolonged meeting with all the service chiefs including the Inspector General of Police for over two hours was useful .

House had on Wednesday debated on the matter for over four hours but failed to reach a consensus.Many members, especially from Yobe state had opposed the extension of the emergency rule . The Speaker deferred voting till yesterday to enable the House garner more information on the state of affairs in the three states.

Zakari explained “We needed to hear from them (the service chiefs); the progress report on the last extension, especially now that we are getting foreign collaboration,” He added that as a responsible institution, the House saw the need to approve the extension, even as it empathize with the people of the affected states on the inconveniences.

The lawmaker disclosed that the service chiefs said much was being done to ensure the effective motivation of security personnel who are on ground fighting the insurgents, and that the alleged lack of equipment for the forces was not correct, as according to them, what they have at the moment was enough to take them to a reasonable level.

-Punchwp_posts