Human rights activist Shehu Sani has warned the federal government against giving State Governors N50 billion marked for Puulaku initiatives as it will be a wasteful exercise.
Sani, who was a former Senator representing Kaduna Central stated that the proposed bill should be prudently managed by the affected communities in Kebbi, Sokoto, Zamfara, Kaduna, Benue, and Plateau States for community-based peace initiatives, economic empowerment for inhabitants of conflict areas, security awareness and peace education.
“The N50 billion allocated for the project must be prudently managed by the affected communities and spent on specific projects that can directly impact conflict resolution and peacebuilding.
If the money is shared with state Governors with the belief that they can magically solve the problem, it’s going to end up as a wasteful exercise.
“The major priorities of the initiative should be; Support and facilitation for community-based peace initiatives, economic empowerment for inhabitants of conflict areas, security awareness, and peace education.”
He warned against paying bandits and terrorists for the restoration of peace stating that the success of the initiative is dependent on how the funds are utilized and the sustainability of the project.
“The FG “Puulaku initiative” to tackle conflicts and violence in the states of Sokoto, Kebbi, Zamfara, Kaduna, Benue, and Plateau states can succeed only if it’s driven by the community’s multi-stakeholder approach. The FG, States, and LGSs should only facilitate and provide the framework, template, guidance, monitoring, and resources for the implementation of the initiative.
The initiative should not waste its time trying to appease terrorists who can never be pleased. On no account should Bandits or terrorists be paid in exchange for peace. It’ll not work that way.
The initiative is commendable and it should be appreciated and acknowledged as unprecedented. However, its success is dependent on how it’s managed and sustained.”
On September 2024, President Bola Tinubu approved the construction of 1,000 houses in 7 states, Sokoto, Kebbi, Katsina, Zamfara, Kaduna, Niger and Benue States to address conflicts in the area.
“President Tinubu has approved the construction of 1,000 houses in Sokoto, Kebbi, Katsina, Zamfara, Kaduna, Niger, and Benue States with all the ancillary facilities of schools, clinics, veterinary clinics, and ranches for the Fulani community in Kaduna and Benue states.
“President Tinubu insisted that all the victims must be carried along.”
