Govs Glad With Confab Report On States Creation In S-E

GOVERNORS, traditional rulers and political leaders from the
South-East geo-political zone met in Enugu, weekend, with a resolve to
pursue the proposed creation of additional states in the region as
recommended by the just concluded National Conference.

They also passed a vote of confidence on the delegates from the zone
for a good performance at the conference.

Rising from the meeting, chairman, South-East Governors Forum, Chief
Theodore Orji of Abia State, said: "We met to review the outcome of
the just concluded confab. We summoned the meeting to find out whether
the delegates performed according to our mandate.

"Those delegates did very well in articulating our points. Those
points are contained in a document that had been presented to the
President, prominent among them is the issue of creation of states. It
is sensitive to the zone and they were in a position to argue for
additional state for the south-east zone.

"Topmost is to give us, one additional state, to bring us at par with
other zones in the country. So, we are happy with them and that is why
we have come to get briefs from them. They have told us and we are
satisfied. If there are amendments, it will come later."

On the issue of security, Governor Orji said: "We are doing our best
to ensure that every state in the Eouth-East is putting everything in
place to make sure that lives and property are protected. You can
attest that there is a decrease in the incidence of kidnapping, armed
robbery in this zone.

"It is as a result of efforts, the South-East governors are making.
The last time we met here, we told you that we are making efforts
jointly to purchase a tracking equipment that will boost security in
the region. The effort is still on. When it comes on board, it will
help us."

Governors in attendance were host, Sullivan Chime,Enugu State; Martin
Elechi, Ebonyi; Deputy Governor, Imo State, Prince Eze Madumere, and
Chief Willie Obiano of Anambra State.

Other dignitaries include Senator Uche Chukwumerije, Senator Ayogu
Eze, Speaker, Enugu State House of Assembly, Eugene Odoh, Chief
Mbazuruike Amaechi, National Vice Chairman, PDP, Col. Austin Akobundu
and Minister for Labour and Productivity, Chief Emeka Nwogu.

The creation of new states was one of the decisions taken by the
delegates at their plenary while considering the report of the
Committee on Political Restructuring and Forms of Government, while
Aba State is to be carved out of the present Abia State, according to
the recommendation.

Apart from the 18 new states proposed, the Conference said a separate
state, yet-to-be named, should be carved out of the South-East to
bring the number of the states in the zone to six.