The Senate President, Dr. Bukola Saraki, has assured the people of Borno State that he will do everything possible through legislative powers to ensure that the violence brought upon them by Boko Haram insurgents and other parts of the North East becomes a thing of the past.
The Senate President gave the assurance when he led other members of his delegation on a courtesy call on Governor Kashim Shettima at the Government House, Maiduguri.
Saraki said he was in Maiduguri with his entourage for on the spot assessment of the activities of Boko Haram and to identify with the victims and people of the state over the spate of killings and bombings by insurgents.
“We are here in Borno for the first time after our inauguration to identify with victims and people of Borno State over the spate of killings and bombings by insurgents.
“We condoled with our people over the agony they found themselves as a result of the ongoing crisis.
“On behalf of the Senate, we will do everything to see to the end of Boko Haram through motions and resolutions to let the whole world know that we are capable to do our best to stop this carnage perpetrated by Boko Haram madness.
“We will set aside everything needed to resettle our people of the North East and rebuild all the communities destroyed by insurgents.
“We will support the executive under the leadership of President Mohammed Buhari who is committed to see to the end of this madness and to ensure that all areas destroyed by insurgents are rebuilt in no distant future”. Saraki assured.
Responding, Governor Shettima commended the Senate President and other members of his delegation for taking their time to visit Borno despite the security challenges posed by the insurgents.
He also commended Dr. Saraki for leading a powerful senate delegation for an on the spot assessment of the damages done to some areas in the state, and solicited support from the Senate leadership to move a motion aimed at establishing a ‘Rebuilding and Development Commission’ for the people of the North East, just like what is obtained in the Niger- Delta region.
Continuing, the governor said the activities of the insurgents, which started since 2009, has led to the death of thousands of people, and property worth billions of naira destroyed. He also informed the delegation that the state government had been spending substantial amount of money for the upkeep of the Internally Displaced Persons, IDPs, in various camps in the state, in addition to other support rendered to security agencies who sacrificed their lives in the fight against the sect members.
The governor also thanked the Senate delegation for donating the sum of N10 million to assist in the upkeep of the IDPs in the state.
Saraki was accompanied on the visit by Senate Leader, Mohammed Ali Ndume, Senate Deputy Chief Whip, Francis Alimikhena, Senators Mohammed Hassan, Bukar Abba Ibrahim, Danjuma Goje and Chief of Staff to the Senate President, Senator Isa Galaudu.
The Senate President and his delegation also visited the Shehu of Borno in his palace as well as some IDP camps amid tight security.
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