Raphael Ede, Enugu

The South East Governors Forum rose from a meeting on Sunday to announce that it would establish forest guards in the states to tackle insecurity in the zone.

The Chairman of the Forum and Governor of Ebonyi State, Chief David Umahi, who read the resolution of the governors at the end of the meeting in Enugu that lasted over five hours, said the governors had also resolved to set up a committee and a centre for South East Integrated Security Monitoring/ Intelligence Gathering to be centrally located in Enugu.

Umahi said, “The forum has resolved to key into the Federal Government’s community policing programme and that forest guards would be established in each state and roads cleared up to 50 metres into the bush to have a clear view of roads ahead.

“That the governors reviewed the security situation in the zone and in response to the emerging security challenges decided to set up a committee and a Centre for South East Integrated Security Monitoring/ Intelligence gathering to be centrally located in Enugu.

“The security committee will also address the safety of fuel pipeline route to Enugu depot to ensure that pumping of petroleum product in Enugu depot resumes in the shortest possible time.”

He added, “Forum reviewed the progress of South East Development Commission and noted that our people are excited about the commission and urge all stakeholders to kindly expedite action to bring the commission to a reality.

“Governors however decried the deplorable state of Akanu Ibiam International Airport runway and federal roads in the zone and called on the Federal Government to consider their numerous requests for it to reconstruct the runway and roads to enhance the safety the users.

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

The meeting attended by the governors of Ebonyi, David Umahi; Enugu, Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi; Abia, Okezie Ikpeazu; deputy governors of Anambra, Nkem Okeke; and Imo, Gerald Irona, also resolved to set up South East Security Trust Fund and design modalities for community policing in South East states.

PUNCH