Chris Oji, Enugu
THE Southeast will soon have a regional security outfit backed by law.
Each state in the region will pass a law to back the initiative, according to the Southeast Governors Forum (SGF).
Its Chairman/Ebonyi State Governor Dave Umahi said the Southeast was the first zone to form a joint security outfit before the Southwest came up with the Operation Amotekun.
Umahi spoke after a six-hour-long meeting of the Forum in Enugu yesterday.
He said the Southeast Joint Security programme was formed last July 28; a committee was inaugurated on August 31 to work out its operational modalities.
Umahi said the committee briefed the governors, who were satisfied with plans for Southeast state Houses of Assembly to enact laws to legalise the outfit.
Umahi said: “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 the Forest Guards in all the Southeast states, who work with security agencies daily in our various communities for the protection of lives and property.” Umahi
Umahi assured the people “that the protection of their lives and property is paramount to us and we are committed to just doing that.”
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The governors praised President Muhammadu Buhari on the ongoing projects in the zone, such as the Akanu Ibiam International Airport, Enugu; the second Niger Bridge and the Enugu-Port Harcourt highway.
On the airport, the governors stated: “Forum noted the quality and speedy progress of work by the contractor, PW Nigeria Ltd.
“Forum is very satisfied with the progress so far made and assurances of integrated safety and landing facilities, fencing and drainages incorporated in this project.
“Forum also commended the Enugu State governor for making more land available and his commitment in the overall success of the project.”
On the second Niger Bridge, the forum said it was briefed by the Anambra State Deputy Governor Nkem Okeke.
“A full view of ongoing work was shown to the Southeast Governors Forum.
“Stakeholders commended Mr President, the minister of works, the chief of staff to Mr President and the Managing Director of the National Social Insurance Authority (NSIA) for making this project a reality.
“With the level of funding by Mr President, we are confident that this project shall be completed in his tenure,” Umahi said.
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