Perturbed by growing insecurity in the country, governors and leaders of the South-East zone on Sunday resolved to key into the Federal Government’s community policing programme that would see the establishment of forest guards in every state of the zone.

They would also set up a committee and a Centre for Integrated Security Monitoring and Intelligence gathering to be centrally located in Enugu as well as clear up to 50 metres into the bush of every road in the zone to enable users have a clear view of roads ahead.

Rising from their meeting in Enugu, they also restated their earlier stand not to allow the RUGA settlement programme in the zone, insisting that there is no land for such initiative.

Reading the resolution of the meeting, its Chairman and Governor of Ebonyi State, Engr. Dave Umahi, said they would do all within the law to protect the lives and property of the people.

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

Umahi added that the forum discussed extensively the comparative advantages of agriculture and the attendant benefits in the zone.

“The Forum therefore resolved to put funds together to fund our people who are interested in rice, cassava, cow rearing, piggery, goat rearing, poultry, fishery and some other cash crops permitted by oil soil. The forum advised Southeast people who are interested in going into these areas to contact their states for further engagement,” he said.

On the Akanu Ibiam International Airport, Enugu, the leaders commended Governor Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi for his numerous interventions in addressing recent concerns raised by Federal Aviation Authority of Nigeria (FAAN).

They however expressed worries about the deplorable state of the airport runway and pleaded with the Federal Government to reconstruct the runway to enhance safety of the people.

They commended the Federal Government for the ongoing work at the second Niger bridge project but urged it to take more meaningful action on Enugu – Onitsha road, Enugu –Port Harcourt road, Owerri – Onitsha and Okigwe – Owerri roads.

At the meeting were Enugu Governor Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi; Abia Governor, Okezie Ikpeazu; Deputy Governor of Anambra, Nkem Okeke; and Imo Deputy Governor Gerald Irona.

Others were Archbishop, Enugu Province, Most Rev Emma Chukwuma; his Methodist counterpart, Most Rev Ugo Ede; and former Minister of Power, Prof Barth Nnaji, among others.

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