COMMUNIQUE ISSUED BY SOUTH EAST GOVERNORS’ FORUM AT THE END OF THEIR MEETING HELD ON THE 28TH DAY OF JULY, 2019, AT THE EXECUTIVE COUNCIL CHAMBERS, LION BUILDING, GOVERNMENT HOUSE, ENUGU

The Forum congratulated His Excellencies the Governors of Imo, Abia, Enugu and Ebonyi States for their resounding victories at the last General Elections
That the Forum would 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 meters into the bush to have a clear view of roads ahead
That the South East Governors reviewed the Security situation in the Zone and in response to the emerging security challenges decided to set up both 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
On the issue of RUGA, the Forum maintains its earlier decision that there is no land in South East for RUGA programme
South East Governors Forum discussed extensively the comparative advantages of agriculture and the attendant benefits in the South East. 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 our soil. The Forum advised South East people who are interested in going into these areas to contact their States for further engagement.
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
On the status of Akanu Ibiam International Airport Enugu, Forum commended the Governor of Enugu State His Excellency Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi for his numerous interventions in addressing recent concerns raised by FAAN and in ensuring that the Akanu Ibiam International Airport is functional. However, we are highly concerned about the deplorable state of the Airport runway and we plead with the
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Federal Government to consider our numerous requests in reconstructing the runway to enhance the safety of our people
Forum while calling on the Federal Government to take more meaningful action on the Enugu-Onitsha Road, Enugu-Porthacourt Road, Owerri-Onitsha Road, Okigwe-Owerri Road and Owerri-Umuahia Road, at the same time, we commend the Federal Government for the steady progress on the 2nd Niger Bridge project.
The Forum noted that Enugu, Anambra and Ebonyi states have abundant oil and gas reserves which have not been fully explored. The Forum therefore call on the Federal Government to show more commitment and commence intensive exploration and development of oil and gas resources in these States of the South East
The Forum received update from SEREDEC represented by Prof. Bath Nnaji on infrastructure development in South East zone especially in medical tourism. The Forum further received presentation from Motorola Cop. Ltd on ways of enhancing security in the South East Zone. The Forum considered the setting up of South East security trust fund as well as design modalities for community policing in South East states. There was also presentation from the Nigeria gas Company with a view to distributing gas pipeline network in the South east region
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