The South East Governors’ Forum last night in Enugu asked the State Houses of Assembly in the five South Eastern States to come up with the necessary legislation to back up the formation of a South-East Security outfit. The proposed new law will also give its naming and other details of the outfit whose launch is expected to be supervised by the Federal Government. The Ime-Obi members of apex Igbo socio-cultural organisation, Ohanaeze Ndigbo, led by its President General, Chief John Nnia Nwodo were present in the meeting.
The Governors said they had already officially written to the Federal Government of their plans, noting that the regional security outfit would ensure that security of lives and property of the people of the zone were guaranteed.
In a statement read by the Chairman of the Governors Forum and Ebonyi State Governor, Engr. David Umahi revealed that the Governors received briefing from the Zonal Security Committee as well as other committees saddled with the responsibilities of finding solutions to problems facing different areas in the region.
According to the statement, the South East Governors were the first to form a joint security on July 28, 2019 and inaugurated the committee on August 31, 2019, long before the formation of Amotekun by South West Governors.
“The forum took briefing from Chairman of South-east Joint Security Committee and is satisfied with all the arrangement that will lead to South-East State Houses of Assembly to enact a law to back up the South-East Security Programme with a name to the outfit.
“Forum had written the Federal Government in this respect and at an appropriate time we shall be inviting them to note the details of our various committees for protection of lives and property.”
“The forum assures the people of the zone that that the States have their vigilante and the Forest Guards who will work with security agencies daily in various communities for protection of lives and property.
“The South East Governors took a brief on the rehabilitation and expansion of the Akanu Ibiam International Airport, Enugu from the Governor of Enugu State, Hon. Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi and the Chairman of the Works Committee of the South East Governors on the Project, Mr. Chris Okoye.
“Forum noted the quality and speedy progress of work by the contractor, PW Big. Limited. The forum is very satisfied with the progress so far made and assurances of integrated safety and landing facilities, fencing and drainage incorporated in this package.”
The forum appreciated the efforts of President Muhammadu Buhari and the Aviation Minister, Hadi Sirika for the project and assured the people of South-East that the Federal Government was committed to the reopening of the Airport by March 31, 2020.
Governors of Abia and Anambra State were ably represented by their deputies who had respectively briefed the forum on the progress of work on Enyimba Economic City and The Second Niger Bridge.
