By Hassan Ishaku.
Governor Darius Dickson Ishaku of Taraba state has charged traditional rulers to be proactive on issues concerning security in their domain.
Governor Ishaku gave the charge during a meeting with third class Chiefs of the sixteen local government council of the state at the Government House in Jalingo.
Governor Ishaku frowned at the way and manner traditional rulers treat security issues with levity and advised them to change for the interest of peace and development of the state and the nation at large.
While reminding the Royal fathers on the purpose of their appointments, the governor also charged them on the need to ensuring that people at the grassroots were feeling the impact of the government policies and programmes.
Ishaku bemoaned the influx of persons in some parts of the State who in some cases carry dangerous weapons to rob innocent citizens with tip off from their leaders describing the trend as unfortunate.
The Governor stated that boundary issues on affected chiefdoms exist between Sanwi, Bakula, Kwararafa, Sansani, Bete and Kashimbilla and many others maintaining that Government is making concerted efforts to demarcate the Chiefdoms appropriately.
He assured the Chiefs of his readiness to reappoint Chiefs in area with vacant stool like Arufu, Kumbo, Ichen in Kurmi and Kabri after following due process.
Ishaku, had on the 13th of May this year met with the 3rd class chiefs after their appointments to further their discussions on peace and security in all the Chiefdoms.
The Governor said, allocating lands without due process was one the major causes of crisis in the state , adding that henceforth, no Royal father should allocate land without the approval of the government.
According to him, even a local government Chairman does not have a right to issue out land certificate of occupancy to anybody or investor without following due process.
“We are doing our best in paying your salaries but I am not happy that some of you does not pay their District heads and Village heads based on the reports i received.
“The information we need has to come from the village heads to the District heads down to the Chiefs, so if you don’t pay them salary how would they have the mora to work hard.
“Therefore, i want you to desist from such act and I also have reports that some of you do not give security reports on timely bases.
“We are worried especially on the high rate of kidnapping and land disputes in most of your Chiefdoms and chief has a right to sell out any land without the concept of the government,’ Ishaku said.
He called on them to be united and embrace one another and shun acts that would distort peace and harmony in their area.
