Kaduna — Following the influx of Chadian refugees into Nigeria, the Arewa Consultative Forum (ACF) has called on the federal and Northern state governments to take adequate measures against food shortages and insecurity to alleviate the hardship of the people.

Speaking after its maiden meeting held at its national headquarters in Kaduna under the chairmanship of retired Gen. Ibrahim Haruna, ACF's working committee in a communiqué signed by its National Publicity Secretary Mr. Anthony Sani urged the Northern state governors to apply their budgets prudently and revitalise agriculture, textile and agro allied industries in the region.

The communiqué said, "While commending the efforts of Federal and Borno State governments in providing relief materials, security and support for the refugees and the immediate border areas following the Chad conflict, ACF wishes to draw the attention of Arewa government to the likely food shortages and insecurity that might follow these refugee situations and urged them to take measures that would reduce the hardship on the local citizens.

"The Forum noted the urgent need to revitalize agriculture, rehabilitate and resuscitate textile and agro-based industries which had failed due to poor power, water supply and inadequate infrastructure. ACF therefore calls on all Arewa government to apply their budgets prudently, diligently and transparently in order to enhance the welfare of Northerners.

"Government should publicized, popularise and involve appropriate institutions in the programming, implementation and monitoring of the economic empowerment programmes under the auspices of NEPAD and access to the disbursements of funds to achieve the Millennium Development Goals, NEED, SEED, LEED, CEED targets."