South-East Governors on Monday re-assured Ndigbo residing in
different parts of the country of their safety.
The Governors, who met in Enugu said they were in constant
touch with the Northern Governors over the October 1 ultimatum issued to Igbos
in the area.
Chairman of the Forum and Ebonyi State Governor, Dave Umahi,
who read the communique issued after the meeting, said the position of the
Northern governors was commendable.
Apart from the quit notice, issues of power, economic
integration, among others, also featured prominently during the meeting.
The communique read in part: “the Geometric Power Company
made a presentation to us about the establishment of independent gas plant and
we commend them very highly for a very beautiful project and we have adopted
that power plant as a model for regional integration. We throw our weight
behind the success of the project.
“In the same vein, we commend Shell and our partners in the
gas project in Asa.
“We the governors in the South-East propose to build five
mega industrial clusters, one in each state and we have signified interest to
benefit from the Asa gas project and we have set up a committee to liaise with
all stakeholders in this reaspect.
“We have also as a people and governors of the south east
thrown our weight behind the November guber election in Anambra state.
“We appeal to all stakeholders and our people to ensure that
we have a very peaceful election in Anambra state.
“We have also taken notice of a number of gas clusters in
South east, and the south governors have directed the economic team and the
secretariat to get the list and names of people in charge of the gas blocks so
that we can discuss with them towards developing it and ensuring that we
partner with them for the benefit of our people.
“Ohanaeze Ndigbo briefed us and of course we have been in
touch with the federal government; we have also been in constant touch with our
colleagues in the North, and Ohanaeze has been in touch with our people in
Northern Nigeria.
“We want to ensure our people in northern Nigeria that we
are in constant touch with the northern governors forum and we commend them for
their position to make sure that the lives and property of our people are fully
secured.
“We will continue to monitor the development to make sure
that no Igbo man living anywhere in this country is living in fear, or is
disadvantaged, or the life threatened.”
Other Governors at the meeting included Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi of
Enugu State, Okezie Ikpeazu of Abia State
Rochas Okorocha of Imo State and the Deputy Governor of Anambra State, Dr.
Nkem Okeke.
President General of Ohaneze Ndigbo, Chief Nnia Nwodo was
equally in attendance.
By Emmanuel Uzodinma
