Zamfara State Governor Dauda Lawal has emphasised the need to deploy advanced technology to combat insecurity in Zamfara and other states of the northern region.
A statement by the spokesperson to the governor, Sulaiman Idris, said Mr Lawal stated this during a meeting between some Northern governors and deputy secretary general of the United Nations, Amina J. Mohammed, in Washington, D.C on Friday.
The meeting was attended by governors from Zamfara, Benue, Jigawa, Kaduna, Katsina, Kebbi, and Niger states.
Explaining the security situation in Zamfara, Mr Lawal said the activities of the bandit have drastically affected farming activities in the state.
He, therefore, solicited the assistance of the United Nations to transition from peasant farming to advanced agriculture.
“We are here with common problems. The major challenge is insecurity, and something has to be done,” he said.
“Due to insecurity, agriculture has been impossible. We need assistance in transitioning from peasant farming to advancing agriculture so that we can deploy technology to fight this insurgency.
“We hope to find solutions to these problems during these meetings. I inherited a dysfunctional state with poor development indices.
“I have declared a state of emergency in education and health. We must take immediate action to address these critical issues; otherwise, our future will be bleak.
“We require significant support to overcome these challenges and ensure a better future for our people,” Mr Lawal added.
In her remarks, Ms Mohammed praised the governors for their efforts in finding a lasting solution to the region’s problems.
“Your presence here indicates a strong desire from the Northern Governors to implement change in their states,” she said.
