THIS is certainly not the best of times for most of the 19 states of
the North. For about two years now, most of them have contended with
unceasing violence, which has led to the death of thousands of persons
and destruction of properties worth billions of Naira. Vanguard
Politics took a tour of the affected states and our findings show that
the region is gradually becoming inclement for business.
Dearth of professionals hits Gombe
THE spate of insecurity, characterised by ethnic conflicts in Jos,
Plateau State and Boko Haram insurgency, is fast demolishing the
remnants of economic and social infrastructure of the North with
palpable fear that life would become tougher and harder in the region.
Like other northern states, Gombe, which used to be a safe haven of
some sorts for the people of the north-eastern region, is now suffering a
backlash of the violence with the relocation of over 1000 out of 1,687
Batch B, 2012 corps members from Gombe recently. No thanks to the
growing state of insecurity in the North East geo-political zone.
Vanguard checks indicate that there is dearth of graduate teachers
across secondary schools in the state. Hospitals and other public
institutions also lack qualified hands. These are the areas where corps
members, prior to now, were primarily deployed. But with their
redeployment to other states of the federation, Gombe is left with
insufficient personnel to drive the economy.
A confirmation of the situation came from the State Governor, Alhaji
Ibrahim Hassan Dankwambo recently, during a courtesy call on him by the
Director-General of the National Mathematical Centre, NMC, Abuja, Prof
Sam Ale. The governor, who was particular about the study of Mathematics
said: “No Gombe child has been given the opportunity to study
Mathematics.
Because it is an opportunity; if it is not given to you, you cannot
have it. So, there was no teacher who could teach Mathematics very
well”. He further added that the case of Government Secondary School,
Doma where over 4000 students of the school have not been given adequate
attention in terms of proper teaching was worrisome.
Similarly, commercial activities have considerably slowed down. There
is also a drastic fall in commercial transportation. For instance,
commercial motor cycle riders popularly called Achaba are not getting
the usual patronage from passengers, who they say prefer taxis. Those
who spoke to Vanguard said passengers feel dangerously exposed while on
bikes, and so, elect to wait for taxis.
But one interesting thing amid the development is that the number of
tricycles on the roads in Gombe is increasing on daily basis thereby
providing an appreciable alternative to commercial motor bikes. Enquires
showed that there is influx of people from other neighbouring states
such as Borno, Adamawa, Yobe and Taraba.
Reports say that Borno and Adamawa states had long banned commercial
motor bike operations culminating into massive exodus of people whose
means of livelihood is the Achaba business, to Gombe in search of
greener pastures.
By its location, Gombe is strategically positioned in the centre of
North-East zone thereby giving it both business and tourist advantages.
Besides, the people, mixed in their religions, live peacefully with one
another. But notably, at the peak of the serial bombings in Gombe, most
residents especially the non-indigenes decided to take a flight out of
the state to the chagrin of many but others from the states around it
are making Gombe their safe haven.
In what ways has the development affected the state? Barrister
Zubairu Mohammed Umar, the immediate past Commissioner for Justice and
Attorney –General of the State, said: “I think that generally in the
North, things are becoming bad, economically. We really thank God that
Gombe is not experiencing the kind of drastic fall in economic
activities as it is been experienced in other states, say Yobe, Borno,
etc.
You know Gombe is the commercial nerve centre of the North-East. So,
people still come to Gombe for their commercial activities. Although,
things might have fallen a little bit but I don’t think it is as bad as
we think. In any event, one would even say business activities have even
picked up because people still need to do business even in the
North-East and the only place they can come now comfortably, despite all
the security challenges, to do business is Gombe.
So, Gombe is okay as far as business is concerned.” He was also very
swift to add that Gombe was not witnessing mass exodus as such compared
to its neigbours in the North-East. “When it comes to an exodus, I
think Gombe stands a better place because less people are leaving Gombe
than they are leaving some other parts of the North.
Raising the tension
Though, we may admit that some people still do leave but those who have
really established here are not leaving. Still people are coming to
Gombe. As for the Youth Corps members, I think it is the media that are
just raising the tension and thinking that the whole North or the whole
North-East is on fire.
Of course, no father would want his child to go to a place that he is
not comfortable with their security, but the security situation on the
ground in Gombe, honestly, is better. And I think, the government is up
to the task with the security challenges and that’s why we are seeing a
drastic fall in all the unfortunate things that are happening”. Indeed,
the government appears determined to provide maximum security.
To actualize this, the Army hierarchy recently reshuffled in its
formation based in the state. The 301 Artillery Regiment Unit was
swapped with that of Onitsha, Anambra State. Since their arrival,
analysts say the soldiers have been up and doing, complimenting the
efforts of the Police and the State Security Services, SSS in policing
the state. It is expected that with the latest development in the
security checks, Gombe and indeed, the entire North-East may soon heave a
sigh of relief from criminal activities and insurgency.
Borno: Violence lays economy prostrate FOLLOWING the activities of
suspected terrorists in Maiduguri, the Borno State Capital, which is
riddled with series of killings and bombings, the socio- economic
fortune of the state, is in shambles. Although Governor Kashim Shettima
and the security agencies, particularly men of the Joint Task Force
(JTF) are having sleepless nights in order to end the violence, the
efforts are yet to start yielding dividends.
Abandoning businesses
Over 70 percent of investors have either fled the town or abandoned
their businesses due to insecurity. For example, Igbo traders, who
constituted the majority in trading and other businesses, were forced to
leave the state, as their brothers and sisters were the most targets by
the sect.
Already, Gomboru Market, Baga and Monday Markets, which attract
foreigners from Chad, Niger and Cameroon Republic, have remained
deserted as over 80 percent of stalls and shops are closed without any
hope of reopening them, as most owners were either killed or they have
fled the town.
Also, most telecommunication companies have relocated their North-
East offices from Maiduguri to Adamawa, Bauchi, Gombe or Taraba. The
situation has compounded the problem of youth restiveness following the
sack of many youths by the relocating firms. Likewise, with the outright
ban of commercial motorcycle (Okada) riders, the transportation system
in the state has been made more difficult for less income earners, whose
welfare is also worse off because commercial motorbike was a means of
livelihood for about 20 percent of the state’s population.
The cattle market in Gomboru popularly called Kasuwan Shanu, which
supplies most of the cattle to Southern parts of the country has
remained a-no-go area, as series of attacks and killings remained the
order of the Day in the market.
How insecurity affects business on the Plateau
PLATEAU State has been plagued by series of crises for over 10 years now
leading to massive loss of lives, property and other investments. The
perennial situation even led to the destruction of the famous Terminus
Market, which used to generate millions to the state coffer. The
situation has crippled some businesses; left traders stranded and forced
many more into street trading.
For some years, the various administrations in the state condoned the
street trading phenomenon attributing it to lack of market where
traders could put their wares in shops but the Jonah Jang’s
administration, in its first tenure, constructed market stalls at the
Rukuba satellite market still in Jos, the State capital.
Though there have been few hitches in allocation of the stalls in the
market, a problem which had long been solved but most traders refuse to
go to the new market citing various reasons. While some traders say
they do not have shops there, many said they were used to selling at the
roadside at the old Terminus, Abuja markets as well as other major
streets in the metropolis as many customers patronize them on their way
to and fro their businesses. However, the situation has generated
controversy as the State government recently put a Task Force in place
to relocate the traders from their temporary sales point, a move which
the roadside traders have severally rebuffed. On the effect of crises on
businesses in the state, to say the State has been worst hit is an
understatement as many business premises do not open on time and
business men also close businesses early due to lack of patronage as
residents are cautious on daily basis on what time to come out and what
time to return to the safety of their homes.
Many investors especially the foreign ones whom the government has
approached are skeptical about investing in the state. Some existing
business owners have relocated to other states with a typical example
being the closure of the MTN Call Centre in Jos, a situation many
believe is an afterthought and an act aimed at portraying the state in
bad light.
Mostly, many traders open for business as early as 8:30 am compared
to when businesses were opened at 7am and shops are closed by 6pm. Banks
which before now used to operate on Saturdays only open to customers by
8:30am. While some close by 2pm, others stop operation by 3pm.
Residents are very cautious as you hardly see people far from their
houses once the day gets dark.
Night life in Kogi:
LOKOJA – Insecurity in Kogi State has taken a huge toll on the socio –
economic activities of the residents. The recent killing of 20
worshipers at the Deeper Life Bible Church and killing of two soldiers
at the Okene secretariat by gunmen have further heightened tension in
the town.
The development, which brought the deployment of army to the area
coupled with the curfew imposed by the state government, is affecting
how residents conduct their affairs in the state. Lokoja, which is the
state capital also, has a fair share in the deal as Okada operators have
been banned from 6pm everyday; a development that has made life tough
for Okada riders and those who require their services for evening
businesses.
Also, majority of drinking joints are adversely affected as patronage
has dwindled. The fear of the unknown since the surge in insecurity in
the state has caused fun seekers to desist from drinking at joints and
night clubs. Suspicious of fellow residents, everyone sleeps with one
eye closed.
At Present, business activities close early while resident have
decided to avoid hot spots where they may be susceptible to attack by
armed bandits. Churches have been advised to close before 12 noon for
Sunday services; and attendance during church services has recorded a
noticeable decline in the number of worshipers ever since.
However, the state government has continued to put in place measures
to resolve the insecurity in the state in order to pursue their
investors’ drive. The quick response of the State Governor, Capt. Idris
Wada and the directive to security operatives to fish out the
perpetrators of the acts seem to be aiding to address the ugly trends.
File
photo: From left; Governor Patrick Ibrahim Yakowa of Kaduna State with
chairman, Northern Governors Forum, Dr Babangida Aliyu of Niger State
and Governor Gabriel Suswam of Benue State at one of their meetings in
Kaduna
At many fora, the state governor and his deputy have assured of their
commitment at ensuring that normalcy returns to the state while
pursuing with vigour their drive towards attracting both local and
international investors to Kogi.
Towards this, Governor Wada had embarked on numerous journeys to
economic summits in Germany, Malaysia and other part of the country to
seek for investors in the agricultural, mining and infrastructural
sectors coupled with the ongoing beautification exercise in the state
capital to make it attractive for investors. At present, the security
personnel seem to be handling the situation adequately while the state
government pursues their aims of attracting investors into the state.
Fear of the unknown reign in Jigawa
JIGAWA State has been very lucky because it has not witnessed the
security crises bedeviling neigbouring states but ironically commercial
activities in the state have a suffered setback in recent times. Though
business activities in Jigawa State commence as from 9-10am daily and
closes at 7 p.m in the markets because the traders stay longer hoping to
make more sales, patronage has dwindled since neighboring states like
Kano, Bauchi and Borno states started experiencing terror attacks.
The general outcry from the traders, who usual travel to Kano to buy
consumable and textile materials, is that business is slow because of
poor patronage. While those who buy food stuffs from the north eastern
states are complaining that the incessant crises in those states have
affected their business activities because they get less supply of food
stuffs from those states, and most of them seldom travel because of
insecurity in the neigbouring states.
In terms of government effort on maintaining security, the Jigawa
State Government has adopted diverse methods apart from holding several
meetings with relevant stakeholders on security. Joint patrol teams are
also assigned to monitor all parts of the state.
On the other hand, the new central market, which is located in the
outskirt of the state, has notable presence of both security operatives
as well as market security men. Governor Dr. Sule Lamido is relying on
the prevailing peace in Jigawa to woo investors.
Niger: Life no longer the same after Suleja attacks
Niger State was one of the first states to have baptism of bomb blasts
in the country during which hundreds of people were killed. The first
was in April last year in Suleja during a political campaign rally
organized by Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) towards the general election
during which there was a bomb blast leading to the killing of many
people.
Nearly three days to the National Assembly elections last year,
another bomb blast was recorded at the INEC office, Suleja during which
some lives were lost and many others injured. The worst came on
Christmas Day in the same Suleja town last year when innocent
worshippers were bombed and several people killed at St. Theresa
Catholic Church, Madalla, and Suleja.
This incident recorded the highest casualties and was the climax of
it all which eventually sent strong and wrong signals to most Nigerians
especially the non-indigenes. The deadline given by the Boko Haram
leaders also last year to all non-indigenes residing in the northern
part of the country is still very fresh in the memories of all Nigerians
especially the non-indigenes. Till now, the facts have not been really
established on why Suleja town is the main target in Niger state.
The only reason attributed to the dastardly acts is the proximity of
Suleja town to Abuja, the new Federal Capital. Minna, the state capital,
have not experienced any form of bomb blast but the state government
had always been proactive on the issue in order to preempt any of such
occurrences in the state capital.
Besides the state of emergency clamped on the state by the federal
government, Niger state government has since restricted movement of
motorcycle operators, also known as Okada in Minna the state capital
from 6am to 7pm during which traders and residents rush to close shops
and rush home to beat the deadline thereby escaping being arrested.
Subsequently, business activities come to an abrupt halt as from 5pm
to 6pm daily. Most businesses that strive in the night only come to a
close between 5pm to 6pm. People, especially the okada riders complain
and are still complaining because of their affected businesses.
Their claim is that they rake in more money in the night especially
between 6pm to 10pm daily but that since the restriction of their
movements, their incomes have dwindled seriously. Generally, the three
bomb blast in succession in Suleja town sent a wrong signal to people of
Niger state especially the non-indigenes residents in Suleja and they
are yet to be convinced that all is well and that it will be well in the
future with them.
Almost every day, non-indigenes especially from the South-East
resident in Suleja town most especially are now seen shifting base home
ward for fear of a reoccurrence of what they have experienced in the
past. While the head of the family remains in the state and operate
skeletal business, their spouses and children have been transferred home
to avoid any future eventuality and thereby having a negative effect on
various businesses generally in the state especially in Suleja town.
Staking money on properties
Statistics have also shown that many houses of non-indigenes especially
in Suleja town have been put on the market for any ‘reasonable prices’
but with less patronage as most people are withdrawing from staking
their money on properties because of the uncertainties generally in the
north. Rents of properties have also dropped considerably in Niger state
especially in Suleja because of the mass exodus of residents to their
various states.
The 2015 general elections no doubt is causing another stir as people
especially non-indigenes are skeptical of what might become of Nigeria
especially with the negative utterances of those perceived to be
Nigerian leaders who are now drumming war songs of which is further
driving fears into the minds of Nigerians especially the non indigenes.
Though the economy of the state is not totally grounded but it cannot
be seen or described as booming especially when compared to what have
been striving in the state before the various bomb blast and the Boko
Haram insurgences in the North.
Vanguard.
