Lawmaker advocates involvement of military in reconstruction of North-East

Rep. Sani Zoro, Chairman, House Committee on Internally Displaced Persons and Refugees has called for the involvement of the military in ongoing reconstruction of the North-East region of the country.

Zoro, told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Abuja on Thursday in Abuja that there was a need to involve the military in reconstruction on the basis of build, secure and maintain.

According to him, if the responsibility is given to foreign contractors, they will build transfer and abandon.

"It is members of the armed forces that liberated these territories so they are not going to leave just yet.

"They will be there to secure the rebuilt infrastructure and maintain it in case it is attacked again.

"This will also be an opportunity to develop the capacity of our armed forces and allow them to recruit more,’’ Zoro said.

The lawmaker noted that artisans were the base level of the army because humanitarian work was the second mandate of the armed forces world over.

"If you go to India or U.S. for instance that advertises on bill boards when they want to recruit, you will see pictures of soldiers assisting in humanitarian work.

"Maybe there was a disaster like a tsunami, they render help to attract young people who want to go into the army.’’

Zoro expressed concerns that those displaced on account of the crisis in the North-East comprised mainly of the most productive of the country's population.

"Take a look at the IDPs, they are our productive population; age between 20 and 35.

"Any country that plans to produce scientists, members of the armed forces or even for the purpose of procreation, it is that age between 20 and 35 that is the most productive.

"But unfortunately these are the person that are now displaced and that is why we are saying enough is enough and Federal Government must start thinking about negotiation.

"This is because all conflicts in the world end up on the negotiating table.’’

He said the time had come for the resources committed to procurement of arms and ammunition to be redirected to development.