South East govs agree on joint security – TheNigerialawyer

South East Governors’ Forum (SEGF) has resolved to set up a
common security committee to handle the security challenges of the
region.

It will also establish a centre for South East integrated
security monitoring/intelligence gathering to be located in
Enugu.

As part of the mechanisms for tackling the security threat posed
by the marauding herdsmen and other criminal elements in the zone,
the governors further disclosed that they would set up forest
guards across the states.

On the vexatious issue of Ruga programme, the forum reiterated
its position that no land in the region would be made available for
that.

These formed the high points of a communiqué issued by the
governors after their meeting at Enugu State Government House,
yesterday.

Chairman of the forum and Ebonyi State Governor, Chief David
Umahi, who presented their position to newsmen, indicated that the
states would support their people interested in cattle rearing,
piggery, rice farming and other agricultural ventures.

He disclosed that they would raise fund for agricultural
development and, therefore, urged interested people from the zone
to consult their respective state Governments.

He explained that the security committee will address the safety
of fuel pipeline route to the Enugu depot to ensure that pumping of
petroleum products in the depot resumed in the shortest possible
time.

On the state of the Akanu Ibiam International airport, the forum
lamented the deplorable condition of the facility particularly, the
runway. Even as the forum commended Governor Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi of
Enugu state for his government’s numerous interventions at the
airport, they appealed to the Federal Government to consider their
previous requests and reconstruct the runway for the sake of
safety.

“Forum while calling on the Federal Government to take more
meaningful action on the Enugu-Onitsha Road, Enugu-Portharcourt
Road, Okigwe-Owerri Road and Owerri-Umuahia Road, at the same time,
we commend the Federal Government for the steady progress on the
Second Niger Bridge project.

“The Forum noted that Enugu, Anambra and Ebonyi states have
abundant oil and gas reserves which have not been fully explored.
The Forum therefore, calls on the Federal Government to show more
commitment and commence intensive exploration and development of
oil and gas resources in these states of South East.”

The meeting, the first, since after the May 29, inauguration,
was attended by Ugwuanyi, Okezie Ikpeazu (Abia) and deputy
governors of Anambra and Imo states, Dr. Nkem Okeke and Gerald
Irona, respectively.