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By Madu Obi
The South East Governors' Forum, SEGOF, under the chairmanship of Imo State governor, Senator Hope Uzodinma, has expressed its determination to tackle insecurity and develop infrastructure in the region.
The Director General of the Forum, Senator Uche Ekwunife, in an interview, said the forum is also making moves to re-introduce the apprenticeship system to engage youths of the region in meaningful businesses.
According to her, the forum has given tangible hope to the regional development and is making inroads into various opportunities that would benefit the people.
She said: "The five governors of South East states are showing very high level of unwavering solidarity, unity, and togetherness in addressing the challenges facing our region and at the same time creating opportunities for the people. Their commitment to working together towards meeting the basic needs of our people is very commendable.
"So, I must say that the SEGOF, as the umbrella body of the Governors of the South East zone, since I came on board, has made very significant achievements in bringing our leaders together to work for the people and attract various regional developmental initiatives that will in turn open up the zone to the entire country and the world at large for business and investment opportunities.
"The governors have embarked on a bold and deliberate plan to transform the regional infrastructural deficit, such as the rail system, tackle insecurity, agriculture, power, human capital development, among others, through strategic investments."
"The governors' dogged commitment in combating insecurity issues in the region is total. They have made significant moves to ensure a safe and secure environment for residents and businesses which was witnessed during the christmas and Easter periods."
They are establishing a regional command center in one of the states. This state-of-the-art facility will coordinate security efforts across the region, deterring criminal activities and fostering a sense of peace and stability. This regional security structure will help the existing security infrastructures in all the South East states in sharing information that will help in combating crime in the region; and also, to stop criminals from using one state as a safe haven while perpetrating evil in another state.
Ekwunife described the 'Sit at Home' in the region as a self-inflicted injury, adding, however, that the governors are working hard to make people see reason why the the sit at home should not continue,
She described as unfortunate a situation where some people are not willing to cooperate with the governors in their quest to stop the sit at home.
"The sit at home syndrome can only stop when people collaborate with the government. It is seriously affecting our economy. We are punishing ourselves, and at the same time talking about marginalization of our region. That is not the best way to agitate for our people. Marginalization of the zone has to be constructively addressed, but definitely not by sit at home.
"Until we realize how injurious it is to our economy, we won't continue to support it. People must emancipate themselves from it by engaging in their legitimate businesses on Mondays", Ekwunife stated.
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