Breaking: Senate approves extension state of emergency in troubled states

The Senate on Tuesday, unanimously approved the extension of the state of emergency in the troubled states of Adamawa, Borno and Yobe, and gave seven conditions that should be met by the federal government in order to ensure its successful implementation.

The conditions which formed part of the prayers contained in the motion moved by the senate leader, Senator Victor Ndoma – Egba, and approved by the entire members, without a single dissent, included:

* That the Federal Government should expand the military cooperation and collaboration with the international community on the rescue of Chibok girls, to the overall arrest of the ugly incidence of terrorism in Nigeria.

* That the federal government should ensure proper kitting and arming of the armed forces deployed to arrest the insurgency and adequate welfare care for troops.

* That full military operation be undertaken on sustained basis to root out the insurgents.

*That there should be special recruitments into the Armed Forces of screened and vetted youth particularly those in the civilian JTF who will receive emergency training and deployed in the troubled zone in order to beef up the strength of the troops and win hearts of the locals.

*That the federal government in conjunction with state governments should come with an Economic Marshal Plan to revive the economy of the economically and educationally backward parts of the country.

*That the federal government should seek and secure Multi-lateral support for thr Marshal plan.

*That Minister of Defence; Police Affairs; National Security Adviser; Director-General, State Security Services; to report to the senate on monthly basis of progress made in combating the insurgency on the basis of which senate can take any decision it considers necessary on the issue.

*That President Goodluck Jonathan should prepare and submit to the National Assembly, supplementary budget to meet any establishment financial requirements needed to combat the insurgency.

*That Mr. President should immediately approve intervention funds to the affected states for development.

Before arriving at the decision, principal officers of the red chamber had held marathon meetings with senators from the affected states and later went into a closed session that lasted two hours.

When the chamber was opened to public observation, Senate leader, Sentator Victor Ndoma – Egba read the motion on the extension of state of emergency in the three north eastern states.

He noted that the senate had earlier on November 7, 2013, considered and approved the extension of the period of the state of emergency in Adamawa, Borno and Yobe states.

He explained that by virtue of of the provisions of Section 305 ( 6 ) ( c ) of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 as amended, the Proclamation will elapse after a period of approval, except the period is extended by the National Assembly.

He added that President Goodluck Jonathan, in a letter dated 13th May, 2014, requested for a further extension of the period in the affected states.

Ndoma – Egba, said that by the senate approval, the emergency rule would remain in force for a further period of six months in accordance with the terms, conditions, content and context as earlier passed by the National Assembly.

Senate President, David Mark, commended his colleagues for the pains taken in the discussion that took place and the subsequent approval. (punch)

Breaking: Senate approves extension state of emergency in troubled states