By Steve Oni, Ilorin
The Senate President, Dr Bukola Saraki has lamented incessant killings in parts of the country, especially the recent wanton destruction of lives in Plateau state.
He said the unfortunate incidents require drastic action from both the National Assembly and the Presidency, adding that the National Assembly under his leadership would not shy away from its responsibilities.
Saraki spoke with journalists in Ilorin, the Kwara state capital, on Saturday after an assessment tour of some ecological prone areas in the metropolis.
He added : “As you know very much so, that the National Assembly under my leadership many months ago had seen the danger. We had called for
security summit to address the issue of security architecture. We had seen the need for us to review the security structure. We had invited service chiefs on the matter. You are all very aware that some service
chiefs decided in their own wisdom that there is no need for them to work with the NASS to address these issues.
“We are beginning to see the wisdom in some of the things we were saying. We have always stood for what is believed is good for this country. We always politicize everything in this country. There is no society that continues to experience incessant killings as
it is and then we think it is business as usual. It requires drastic action. It requires collective collaboration of all agencies and all
arms of government for us to be serious. We on our part at the NASS, we will not get frustrated but we have been sounding this alarm. A society where gunmen could go in, shoot for seven hours and nobody is
caught. That is not a normal society.
”As we resume we will continue on our part as parliament to ensure that those who have the responsibility of protecting lives and property are
accountable to the people. It cannot continue it is not something to be politicized. If somebody is not capable he should give way for others that are competent. We have heard that security personnel are working at cross purposes. A is not talking to B and B
is not talking to C. They don’t attend meetings jointly. Things need to be done.
“Let us forget about party these are people’s lives. It is
not about the Speaker of House of Representatives or the Senate
President it is about Nigeria. The sooner we see that and address this the better. More of these could have been prevented since we have been shouting about this.
“Until we sit down all of us both the presidency and legislature to
thrash out the issues. We must discuss the issues. Something needs to be done. Something is wrong. This cannot continue”
On the issue of the recent flood victims in the state, the former
governor of Kwara state said: “Some of these issues have been long standing. My office has been going around to offer palliative measures
to those that have been displaced to go back to their homes. We are talking about both short and long term solutions. We are hopeful to
bring succour to them and find permanent solutions to the menace.
“There are lots of environmental and ecological issues that affect us as a country. We have to continue to manage within the resources that we have to address them and whenever the funds are available they
should be efficiently utilised.”
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