Provide roads to open up, connect communities near Sambisa, Reps urge FG

The House of Representatives has called on the federal government to open up and link communities located on the fringes of Sambisa forest, frequently attacked by Boko Haram insurgents.

This was sequel to a motion moved by Haruna Mshelia (APC,Borno) at the plenary on Tuesday.

• Troops intensify hits on Boko Haram, destroy hideouts in Sambisa Forest
• Sambisa forest: I have been vindicated on National Guards issue – IBB (VIDEO)

Presenting the motion, he said that, several communities located on the fringes of Sambisa Forest are affected.

He said the communities affected include; Tashan Allade, Kirmi, Garbwala, Debiro, Tarfa, Mandiragraw, Harang, Ngulde, Ngohi, Mbula Kudughe, Chanchandana, Lehu, Askira, Bigibigi, and Garkida.

He said the affected communities are situated in the very fertile region of Hawul, Askira/Uba, Biu, and Gombi Local Government Areas of Borno State and do not have interconnected rural roads linking one other.

Mshelia noted that, the rural roads connecting these Communities that are needed to be opened up are the Tashan Allade Kirmi – Garbwala – Debiro – Tarfa – Mandiragraw road; the Kirmi – Harang – Ngulde – Ngohi – Mbula Kudughe – Chanchandana – Lehu to Askira and the Ngohi – Bigibigi to Garkida Roads.

“Due to the proximity of these communities to the infamous Sambisa Forest, the lack of these basic infrastructure means that whenever Boko Haram attacks, even Security Forces find it difficult to easily navigate the area in pursuit of the insurgents,” he said.