The North-East Governors' Forum has attributed the region's insecurity to poor road networks, urging President Bola Tinubu to address this critical issue. According to the governors, the dilapidated state of federal roads within and between states in the region is not only fueling insecurity but also stalling development and making life more difficult for residents ¹.
*Key Points from the Governors' Communique*
- *Poor Road Network*: The governors highlighted that neglected federal roads are a significant contributor to the region's insecurity and underdevelopment.
- *Abandoned Projects*: They called on President Tinubu to address the issue of abandoned projects, which is crucial to tackling poverty, insecurity, and underdevelopment in the subregion.
- *Multidimensional Approach*: The governors emphasized that addressing security challenges in the North-East requires a multidimensional approach, including kinetic strategy, youth employment through vocational and technical education, improved road networks, education, and poverty reduction ².
*Solutions Proposed by the Governors*
- *Improved Road Networks*: The governors urged the Federal Ministry of Works to follow through on road contracts awarded in the region and remove contractual encumbrances hindering infrastructure development.
- *Investment Opportunities*: They promised to recommit to opening up the subregion to investment opportunities, agriculture for food security, combating climate change, skills acquisition, and industrialization to provide employment for teeming youths.
- *Collaboration*: The governors stressed the need for stronger collaboration among themselves to design a more robust security architecture and address common issues affecting the subregion ¹.
*Next Steps*
The North-East Governors' Forum is set to meet again from July 27 to 29, 2025, in Jalingo, Taraba State, to continue deliberating on these issues and finding solutions to the region's security and development challenges ¹.
