South East Governors on Sunday disclosed that the zone has made progress in their plan to set up a joint security body and will in no distant time, make known the name of the outfit, as well as invite the Federal Government to note the details of the joint security programme.
Chairman of the South East governors forum and governor of Ebonyi State, Dave Umahi, made this known while briefing newsmen on the outcome of their meeting held at the Government House, Enugu,
He recalled that the joint security programme was inaugurated in August, 2019.
The governors distanced themselves from names such as Ogbunigwe being suggested for the zonal security outfit maintaining that it is yet to be given a name.
Umahi who said that the governors’ forum was satisfied with the arrangement that would lead to the South East State Houses of Assembly to enact a law that would back up the security outfit, noted that the protection .of lives and property of the people of the zone was paramount to them.
He said that the “Forum took briefing from the chairman of South East Joint Security Committee and are 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 the Federal Government to note the details of our joint security programme.
“We wish to assure our people that we have our State Vigilante and Forest Guards in all the South East States, who work with security agencies daily in our various communities for protection of lives and property,” he said.
On the ongoing rehabilitation work at the Akanu Ibiam international airport, Enugu, Umahi said that the governors were satisfied with the progress of work at the Airport and thanked President Muhammadu Buhari for his quick response to the release of funds for the repair work.
Umahi said that all efforts are geared towards reopening the Airport before the end of March, 2020.
He commended the Minister of Aviation, Hadi Sirika, for his commitment towards the repair works and the able way he has been supervising the project.
He told newsmen that the governor of Anambra State, Chief Willie Obiano, through his Deputy, Dr Nkem Okeke, briefed the Forum on the progress made so far at the 2nd Niger bridge.
He disclosed that 71 per cent of the recovered Abacha loot would be committed on the project, expressing happiness on the progress made so far.
Umahi added that Governor Okezie Ikpeazu of Abia State also briefed the Forum on the Enyimba Economic City
“Forum also commended the Governor of Enugu State for making more land available and his commitment in the overall success of the project.
While assuring all stakeholders that the Enugu airport would be reopened on March 31, they said the Forum was briefed by Governor Okezie Ikpeazu of Abia State on the state of Enugu/ Port Harcourt Highway.
“Forum commended the Federal Government on speedy and quality work, though a number of sections are yet to be attended to, especially the Aba/PortHarcourt axis being handled by a Chinese company”, they stated.
In attendance at the meeting that lasted five hours were the governors of Enugu State, Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi; Okezie Ikpeazu of Abia, Ebonyi State governor, Dave Umahi, and Anambra State governor, Chief Willie Obiano, represented by his deputy, Dr. Nkem Okeke.
The forum hosted Igbo leaders led by the President General of Ohanaeze Ndigbo Worldwide, Chief Nnia Nwodo, former governor of old Anambra State, Chief Jim Nwobodo, some members of National Assembly and some stakeholders.
