Vice-President Namadi Sambo on Saturday paid a visit to Maiduguri, Borno State capital, on behalf of the Presidency.
It was the first official visit of the Presidency under Dr. Goodluck Jonathan to the troubled Borno State since the emergence of Boko Haram insurgency.
Sambo said the cease-fire declared last week by the militant Boko Haram sect is a welcome idea.
He said: “We are happy with the ceasefire, the president has always advocated for dialogue. Even after a long drawn war combatants still come to the roundtable to discuss peace.
“We are happy that this has been achieved in a short time and the federal government is ready for dialogue.”
Boko Haram had last week declared unilateral ceasefire, saying it was now open to dialogue with the federal government.
Sambo went on to commend the efforts of the state Governor, Shettima to get the sect to agreeing to a ceasefire. He stressed that government cannot but work hand-in-hand with him to ensure that peace is finally restored to the state and country.
The vice-president claimed the presidency had at no time left the people of Borno to their fate, insisting that the state had always have the deserved attention.
He revealed that oil exploration would soon start in the state, noting that $75 million was spent on the exploratory study last year alone and $100 million has been budgeted for the same purpose this year.
Sambo disclosed that three oil blocks had been found in the state and that before the end of this year or during the first quarter of next year, drilling of oil would begin in the state.
Speaking on the development, the Shehu of Borno, Abubakar Garbai El-Kanemi urged the Federal Government to accept the cease-fire of Boko Haram to end the three years old crisis.
He told the vice president that residents have suffered both human and material resources loss in the crisis, adding that the residents are now yearning for peace through dialogue with the sect.
Meanwhile, the people of Maiduguri had a bitter experience of having the vice-president in their midst as streets and major roads of the city were cordoned off by security operatives as markets, business centers and transportation by residents were shut down.
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