The Katsina State Acting Governor, Faruk Jobe, has described drug-related issues as major factors contributing to insecurity bedevilling the state and called on the Federal government to intensify efforts in combating the menace.

He made the call during a town hall meeting with the Personal Assistant to  President Bola Tinubu on Constituency Affairs, Khadija Omotayo, and key stakeholders including traditional, and religious leaders, civil society organisations, and political representatives in attendance on Tuesday, in Katsina.

Organised by the Office of the Personal Assistant to the President on Constituency Affairs, aimed to gather feedback on pressing issues affecting the states of the federation.

According to the acting governor, the influx of illicit drugs has exacerbated the state security situation.

“We urgently require a comprehensive strategy from the Federal Government to address this menace,” Jobe pleaded.

The acting governor also drew attention to the need for accelerated development in the state, stressing the importance of completing ongoing federal projects such as the Kano-Katsina Federal Highway and the Kano-Katsina-Maradi rail line.

He also called for the dredging of earth dams and the revitalisation of social intervention programmes to boost the state’s economy.

The state government, according to Jobe, has already taken steps to address security challenges through both proactive and reactive measures.

Earlier in his speech, the state Commissioner for Lands and Physical Planning, Dr Faisal Kaita, identified 74 abandoned and ongoing Federal Government projects in the state.

Kaita specifically drew the attention of the Federal Government to the Katsina-Kano Road, the Kano-Katsina-Maradi rail line, and the expansion of Umaru Yar’adua International Airport as priority concerns due to payment of compensation to land owners.

He attributed the delay in the Katsina-Kano Road project to the Federal Government’s failure to disburse compensation to affected landowners.

Kaita noted that the state government has already fulfilled its obligation by compensating land owners for the expansion of Umaru Yar’adua International Airport after acquiring the necessary land.

Responding, the Personal Assistant to the President on Constituency Affairs, Khadija Kareem, assured the stakeholders and Katsina State Government that the issues raised would be presented to the president for prompt action.

She emphasised the Tinubu-led administration’s commitment to addressing the challenges facing the nation and pleaded for patience.

“Our President needs your patience and time to fix Nigeria you all desire and in no small time, you will see the results,” Kareem said.

Culled from Punch