By CHARLES IWUOHA

Major stakeholders in Enugu State on Saturday, June 10, 2023, lauded the state Governor, His Excellency, Peter Mbah, for ordering an end to the regular Monday sit-at-home.

Recall that Mbah had, last week, ordered residents of the State to end the sit-at-home and go about their activities on Mondays.

The sit-at-home which has lasted for about two years has crippled economic activities not only in Enugu State, but across the South-East zone.

Rising from an emergency meeting attended by political, religious, traditional and labour leaders, the stakeholders commended Mbah for the decisions he has taken towards restoring peace in the state, including appeal for the release of Mazi Nnamdi Kanu.

A communiqué issued after the meeting reads: “Further to the meetings held by the Government of Enugu State with individual groups and stakeholders ahead of the ban of the Monday sit-at-home, stakeholders and representatives of various bodies, institutions, organisations, associations, including government officials and heads of security and intelligence agencies at the Old Government Lodge, Enugu, on Saturday, June 10, 2023 to further deliberate on the subject matter and the way forward.

“After extensive and exhaustive deliberations at the town-hall meeting, which also had the Governor of Enugu State, Dr. Peter Mbah and the Deputy Governor, Barr. Ifeanyi Ossai, in attendance, it was resolved:

“That the decision of the Enugu State Government cancelling the Monday sit-at-home order considering its detrimental impacts on productivity, investment flow and the Igbo spirit of creativity, entrepreneurship and commerce is hereby endorsed by the town-hall.

“That the town-hall commends the State Governor, His Excellency, Dr. Peter Ndubuisi Mbah, on the laudable steps taken so far to ensure peace is returned to the state, which include his recent visit to the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, His Excellency, Bola Ahmed Tinubu, for the release of the leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Mazi Nnamdi Kanu; opening door for dialogue with those with genuine grievances.

“That the town-hall reiterates the position of the State Government, and further appeals to the President to act on the governor’s request by releasing Mazi Nnamdi Kanu, and expedite the process of national healing, national integration and national reconciliation.

“That the town-hall calls on the State Government to resuscitate, overhaul, rejig and strengthen internal security mechanisms such as the Community Policing, Neighbourhood Watch, Forest Guards, amongst others, in the state.

“That the stakeholders and representatives of various groups at the town-hall meeting – traditional rulers, religious leaders, heads of institutions, corporate bodies, youth and students leaders, transport and market associations, etc. – shall educate and sensitize their members on the gains of ending the Monday sit-at-home and getting back to work.

“That the security agencies should continue to work round the clock in order to reassure citizens and residents of their safety, not only on Mondays, but also on other days of the week.

“That the town-hall proposes that the Government should procure special commercial city buses and taxis that will ply the routes beyond 9.00 pm when tricycle operators are prohibited from doing so.

“That the town-hall supports any security measure or measures and other steps the State Government deems necessary in order to end the Monday sit-at-home and get people back to work in the overall interest of the state and its residents.

“That the town-hall enjoins members of the public to resume work and go about their normal daily businesses as various security and intelligence agencies have, in their joint and collaborative efforts, given assurance(s) of their safety, including proactive responses to distress calls any time of the day.

“That the town-hall urges members of the public to continue to support the government and security agencies by sharing vital information with them, including suspicious movements and gatherings by strange persons or groups of persons in any part of the state, including forests and borders.

“That the town-hall urges persons and groups with genuine grievances to take the opportunity of dialogue offered by the Government of Enugu State to engage the government on their grievances to ensure lasting peace and security in the state.”

The communiqué was signed by Comrade Stephen Aniagu, President, Enugu State Amalgamated Traders Association, Comrade Barr. Fabian Nwigbo, Chairman, Nigeria Labour Congress, Mr. Ben Asogwa, Chairman, Trade Union Congress, Comrade Nweke Odoh T., Chairman, Nigeria Union of Teachers, Enugu State Chapter and Comrade Ebuka Okoh, Chairman, National Youth Council of Nigeria, Enugu State Chapter, Mr. Paully Eze, Chairman, Association of Presidents-General, Enugu State.

Other signatories were CP Ahmed Ammani, Commissioner of Police; Comrade Onyebuchi Igboke, Chairman, NGOs; Comrade Ugochukwu Anichukwu, National Association of Nigerian Students and Chief Martins Asogwa NURTW, Enugu State. Others are Barr. Ugo Ferdinard Ugwueze, Coordinating Chairman, Nigeria Bar Association, Enugu State; Rev. Emmanuel O. Edeh, Chairman, Christian Association of Nigeria, Enugu State; Comrade Monday Onwuka, Chairman, Tricycle Riders Association; HRH Amb. Lawrence Agubuzu, Chairman, Enugu State Traditional Rulers Council; Most Revd. Prof. Emmanuel Chukwuma, Bishop, Anglican Ecclesiastical Communion; Hon. Solomon Onah, Chairman, ALGON Enugu State; and Comrade Alor Edwin Ikechukwu, Chairman, Inter-Party Advisory Council, Enugu State, among others.