A former Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Chief Olu Falae, speaks to PETER DADA on economic, politics and security issues
The South-West governors just launched a security outfit ‘Operation Amotekun.’ Do you have any reservation for it ?
I think it is a welcome development. At least for the first time in the region, the governors agreed on something to be done on security. We should even clap for them before opening the box to see what is inside. Then let’s look at what they even want to do if they can implement it within the existing powers and structures. For example, we have forest guards in every state and they are functioning.
The forest guards have the power to arrest and prosecute. You can even use that for the core operation of Amotekun that we are using the existing forestry legislation and apparatus and broaden its mandates to include arrest those who do violence on crops planted by man.
All the kidnappings are in the forest and we already have an organisation that can be made to deal with that if that is what they put in the law for ‘Operation Amotekun’ that means there may be no need for a new law but when we see the details and there is need for an additional law, the law will be made by the Houses of Assembly. This is because the law that authorised the forest guards is a state law, this means state laws permit something on security.
Forest guards is for protection of the resources of the country, so, let’s wait and see what the details are but I am happy that the governors agreed on something beneficial to the people. It means they believe those things from Abuja are inadequate.
How do you view the employment programme of this government?
Source: The Punch Newspaper
