The South East Governors Forum after an extensive meeting in Enugu Sunday resolved to undertake the construction of Ring road linking the five states of the zone, covering 430 kilometers, to promote economic development and integration as well as ease of transportation in the region.
In a communique read by the Chairman of the Forum and Governor of Ebonyi State, Engr. David Umahi, who was accompanied by Governors Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi (Enugu), Okezie Ikpeazu (Abia) and Deputy Governor of Imo State, Prince Eze Madumere, the body expressed deep appreciation to the governors and the people of the South East zone for “the way they worked together to give the former Vice President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, His Excellency, Dr. Alex Ekwueme a befitting burial and enjoined them to continue in such spirit to move the South East States forward “.
The Forum also commended “very highly” Gov. Ugwuanyi for all the activities that took place in Enugu State during the funeral programmes and equally appreciated his counterpart from Anambra State, Chief Willie Obiano for the events that happened in his state as well as the contributions of other governors of the zone.
Engr. Umahi said that the Forum took presentation for Gas Pipelines in the region and advised the Consultants to follow up on details of implementation especially as it relates to right of way, adding that it commended the presentation by Prof. Bart Nnaji on Aba Independent Power Project and asked him to liaise with its secretariat for further implementation with the Presidency.
The Forum’s Chairman disclosed that the governors intervened on the crisis rocking the South East Traditional Rulers’ Council and directed that the five State Chairmen of the Council be invited for amicable resolution of their issues in the next meeting of the Forum.
Other outcome of the meeting were the receipt of presentations on several issues, especially, from National Addressing System of Nigeria and the Bureau of Public Service Reforms (BPSR) on assessment of MDAs for effective performance, noting that a private business enterprise presented a Lottery business proposal in the zone to the Forum, with the body requesting the presenter to reach out to various states for further deliberation.
