South East Governors Reject IGP’s Community Policing Formula, Insist On Previous Agreement In Enugu
Governors of the South East geo-political zone have asked the Inspector General of Police Adamu Mohammed to revert to the initial agreement reached with the zone in Enugu on the formation of Community Policing.
This was part of the seven-point communique reached at the South East governors’ meeting held offin Enugu on Sunday, among other resolutions of common interest to the zone as presented by the Forum’s chairman, Governor David Umahi of Ebonyi state.
At the South East Security Summit held in Enugu earlier this year with the Inspector General of police, Adamu Mohammed in attendance, an agreement was reached with the IGP on the composition of the statutory structure of the reformed community Policing, involving the various community leadership authorities in the recruitment process.
It is then obvious that the said communication to the governors did not comply with the Enugu Accord, hence the call for a reversal, insisting that”we cannot begin implementation of it until the programme reflects our earlier agreement”.
Also in line with the South East joint security programme, the governors mandated the legislative arm of each state in the zone to commence the process of enactment of its security laws.
In a bid to rejig the economy of the zone, the meeting agreed to set up committees in their respective states to work with the relevant bodies with economic mandate, including the Federal Government, World Bank, CBN and NSIA, in their various programmes aimed at revitalsing the country’s economy, especially in the areas of agriculture, SME and solid minerals.
They further resolved to meet with NNPC management in pursuit of attracting consideration for linking all the state capitals in the zone with gas pipeline in the pipeline programme of the Federal Government running from Imo to Lagos State.
Following their assessment of work progress at both Akanu Ibiam International Airport and second niger bridge, the Forum commended President Muhammadu Buhari, minister of aviation and that of works, as well as the South East governors themselves, especially those of Enugu and Anambra states, for efforts towards actualising objectives of the projects.
The governors assured the people of the zone that with the progress of work, “we are hopeful that the airport will re-open soonest, subject to COVID-19 Federal Government programme”.
The forum used the occasion to direct all Igbos to adhere to all health and hygiene protocols, as well as government orders for the containment of COVID-19.
Meanwhile, the next meeting of the South East traditional institution as disclosed by the forum, will be hosted by Ebonyi state.
The meeting was attended by three governors of Enugu, Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi, David Umahi of Ebonyi and Hope Uzodimma of Imo state, as well as the deputies of Abia, Ude Okochukwu and Nkem Okeke of Anambra State, while stakeholders including Former Old Anambra governor, Jim Nwobodo, Ohaneze President General, Chief Nnia Nwodo and representatives of the Traditional Rulers Council of the South East states were also on the ground for their roles in the meeting.
EDITOR-IN-CHIEF
Sam Udekwe is a journalist working in the News and Current Affairs department, Enugu State Broadcasting Service (ESBS) Enugu. He is well trained in all genres of journalistic venture.
Mr Sam read Mass Communication, graduating all with Distinction in National Diploma, Higher National Diploma and Postgraduate Diploma at IMT, Enugu and Madonna University, Okija, Anambra state, while he is presently on his M.Sc programme also in Mass Communication, at National Open University of Nigeria.
He is currently the NUJ Chairman, Enugu state.
samowailo@gmail.com
