The governors of Southeastern Nigeria have expressed their disappointment at the Inspector General of Police for reneging on the agreement on practice and composition for establishment of community policing in the zone.
The forum of governors from the zone, rising from its meeting on Sunday and speaking through its chairman, Governor Dave Umahi of Ebonyi, expressed the group’s dismay over the IGP’ u-turn.
“The forum agrees that all South East states’ Houses of Assembly should commence the process of enacting the state security laws in line with the South East Joint Security Programme.
“In the circumstance, we cannot begin implementation, until the programme reflects our earlier agreement,” he said.
On COVID-19, the governors urged Igbos nationwide to stay safe and obey all directives to contain the spread of Coronavirus (COVID-19).
According to him, the forum has directed all Igbos living outside Igboland to obey the Nigeria Centre of Disease and Control (NCDC) hygiene protocols, WHO, Presidential Task Force, as well as directives of South East governors and those of all governors of the states where they reside and do business.
The governor said that the forum agreed to further engage the NCDC to scale up testing of Coronavirus in South East states.
The governors commended President Muhammadu Buhari, the Minister of Works and the Governor of Anambra, Willie Obiano, on the extent of work on the second Niger Bridge, he said.
Umahi said the forum agreed to set up committees at the various states to work with Federal Government, World Bank, Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) and Nigeria Sovereign Investment Authority (NSIA) on repositioning the economy in the zone.
He said they would work in their various programmes lined up to re-jig the economy, especially in areas of Agriculture, Small and Medium Enterprises and solid minerals.
The chairman said it agreed also to hold a virtual meeting with the Group Managing Director of Nigeria National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) on the issue of linking South East state capitals with the pipeline, along with the pipeline programme of the Federal Government running from Imo to Lagos State.
Umahi disclosed that the forum agreed that Ohaneze should submit a working document in their next meeting on setting up of South East Stabilization Fund.
The forum also commended President, Minister of Aviation, the Governor of Enugu State and other governors of South East and the Committee headed by Mr Chris Okoye on the extent of work at Akanu Ibiam International Airport.
“We assure our people that, with the progress of work at the site, we are hopeful that the airport will re-open soon, subject to the Federal Government’s COVID-19 Programme,” Umahi said.
The governor he said that the next Executive Committee meeting of the South East Traditional Institution would be hosted by Ebonyi State.
Governors Hope Uzodinma and ifeanyi Ugwuanyi of Imo and Enugu states, respectively, attended the meeting while Okezie Ikpeazu of Abia was represented by his deputy, Ude Oko-Chukwu and Nkem Okeke stood in for Willie Obiano of Anambra.
Other notable personalities at the meeting were Obi of Onitsha, His Majesty Nnaemeka Achebe, Ohaneze President General, Nnia Nwodo and some traditional and religious leaders.
