By Gift Chapi Odekina
The House of Representatives have urged the Federal Government to redeem their earlier pledge of 10 billion naira for the resettlement of victims of Plateau attacks, and to also extend similar privileges accorded to victims of crises in the North East and other parts of the country.
The House also mandated INEC to as a matter of urgency, conduct bye election to filled the vacant seat of Jos North/Bassa Federal Constituency without further delay, so that they can also have their voice back in this Honorable House.
Moving the motion, Rep. Yusuf Gagdi noted that the barbaric killings have caused a serious breach of peace in some parts of the Jos north and Bassa Local Government Areas, adding that the said communities have no voice in the House to air their grievances, following the death of their representative, late Hon. Maitala Haruna who died on 2nd April, 2021 which was announced at House Plenary on 13th April, 2021.
“Within the duration of our recess, a lot of ugly events bothering on the state of security of our people occurred, which I deemed pertinent to call the attention of this hallowed Chamber to take necessary proactive measures towards curbing the hydraheaded monster.
“Further notes that, it is no longer news, the series of attacks and reprisals that engulfed some parts of Plateau state in the recent past. “Raging from the unprovoked attacks on Bassa communities where scores of lives were killed with farm lands and properties worth hundreds of millions destroyed, to the killing of peaceful commuters on Rukuba road in Jos North on their way to Ondo State from Bauchi and the pocket of silent killings of University of Jos students along University community as well as the most recent killings in Yelwan Zargam community of Jos North Local Government
“Further note my open letter to the President on the happenings in Plateau state, with practical suggestions on how best to handle the crisis situation in the State and beyond.
The House to this end mandated the Speaker of the House to lead a high-powered delegation to pay a condolence visit to the Government of Plateau State and commiserate with the Governor on the lives and properties lost.
The House also mandated the Federal Ministry of Humanitarian affairs, Disaster Management and Social Development, National Emergency Management Agency and other relevant humanitarian agencies to as matter of urgency, provide relief materials to the victims of the attacks, in order to assuage the sufferings of their survivors.
The House further commend the Governor of Plateau state for taking active steps that prevented the escalation of the reprisal attacks that was imminent following the killings, and the input of the security operatives in that regard.
