Gov Darius Ishaku on Sunday constituted two committees among
the ethic groups on the Mambilla Plateau to dialogue and come up with ways of
bringing lasting peace in the area.
The constitution of the committees followed an emergency
meeting with stakeholders from Sardauna Local Government Council which lasted
for six hours.
Ishaku, who briefed journalists shortly after the meeting,
expressed hope that the action would speed up the process of genuine
reconciliation for lasting peace on the plateau.
Ishaku had earlier set up a committee to look into the land
issue in the area.
The committee headed by the Deputy Governor Alhaji Haruna
Manu, was yet to commence work before the crisis eventually broke
out.
According to him, the stakeholders committee would be
chaired by the Chief of Mambilla, Alhaji Mohammad Baju with representatives
from the Mambilla, Fulani, Kaka, Kambu, Panso and Igbo tribes living on the
plateau.
He said it was expected to come out with ways of restoring
permanent peace.
The governor also noted that another committee, Truth and
Reconciliation Committee, to be made up of religious leaders, would soon be set
up to immediately begin moves of genuine reconciliation among the people and
promote mutual trust and peaceful coexistence in the area.
Ishaku, who condemned the wanton destruction of lives and
property on the Mambilla Plateau, appealed to the people to lay down their arms
and embrace peace for the development of the area.
“The meeting is expedient considering the importance this
administration attaches to peace and development of the state where all
citizens would be proud of and have a say at all times.
“Sardauna local government is not only strategic to the
state, but to the entire country considering the enormous potential that abound
in the area, especially in agriculture, tourism,” he said.
He appealed to the people to eschew violence and embrace
peace to pave way for the smooth take off of the 3050 megawatt Mambilla
Hydroelectric power station which is billed to commence soon.
Similarly, a group known as Sardauna Elders has called on
the government to review the land acquisition policy on the plateau to ensure
lasting peace.
The SUN
