Nigeria, Partners Switch Focus To Poverty Reduction

From left: President Paul Biya of Cameroon; President of France; Mr Francios Hollande; President Muhammadu Buhari; President Patrice Talon of Benin Republic; and Chadian President Idriss Déby, during the 2nd Regional Security Summit at Transcorp Hilton in Abuja yesterday Photo: State House

Member states of the Lake Chad Basin Commission (LCBC) and development partners have agreed to focus more on reducing poverty in the region in order to end terrorism.

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This followed the success recorded in the past two years by the Multinational Joint Task Force (MNJTF) made up of military personnel from Lake Chad Basin countries and Benin Republic, who have completely degraded the Boko Haram terrorists.

The resolution was reached after a two-day technical session prior to the 2nd Regional Security Summit in Abuja, on Saturday.

Foreign heads of state present at the summit include: Paul Biya, Cameroon, Faure Gnassingbé, Togo, Patrice Talon, Benin, Macky Sall, Senegal, Teodoro Mbasogo, Equatorial Guinea and Mahamadou Issoufou, Niger, Idriss Déby, Chad and Ali-Bongo Ondimba, Gabon.

The LCBC member states renewed their commitment to addressing humanitarian crisis affecting millions of Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) living in camps in Nigeria, Cameroon, Chad and Niger.

While acknowledging the pathetic situation of the inhabitants of the newly liberated towns and villages, the summit agreed to provide and rehabilitate facilities in the devastated towns and villages with a view to creating conditions for return to conventional life.

Besides, the summit agreed to work together to ensure the return of Nigerian refugees in Cameroon, Chad and Niger to Nigeria as soon as security conditions permit.

Also, it was agreed that the implementation of the Lake Chad Development and Climate Resilience Action Plan be accelerated within the next three years though the completion plan is in the next ten years.

The Lake Chad Action Plan involves the eventual recharging of the drying Lake through water transfer from Oubangi River in Central African Republic (CAR) as means of resuscitating the lost livelihood of the communities in the region.

In his welcome speech, President Muhammadu Buhari said all objectives of the first summit have been achieved except one- ensuring the safe release of the Chibok girls.

He highlighted the achievements since the Paris Summit to include; combating the Boko Haram Terrorists, the establishment of the Regional Intelligence Fusion Unit and strengthening cooperation between member states of the Lake Chad Basin Commission and Benin Republic.

While thanking all development partners for their efforts towards degrading the Boko Haram terrorists, he called for more help in reducing poverty in the region.

“We believe that only by bringing development to the areas affected by the insurgency, and by protecting the victims and the Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) and refugees, can we assure genuine recovery for conflict devastated areas.

“The long-term development of the Lake Chad Region is crucial to reducing the high poverty rate in the basin, a major factor in the recruitment of terrorists,” he said.

He pointed out that: “The total cost of the short and medium term development of the Lake Chad Region is estimated to be in the region of €916 million.

“As LCDC member states, we seek the corporation and support of our partners to implement this plan.”

On the abducted Chibok school girls who have not yet been rescued, the president reiterated his firm commitment to not only rescuing the girls but also reuniting them with their families.

“Our government will not spare any effort to achieve this important mission,” he assured.