By Ogbonna Casmir
Enugu State government yesterday inaugurated the recently constituted Enugu State Security Committee to bring lasting solution to the persistent herdsmen attack in various communities resulting destruction of lives and property in the state.
Inaugurating the committee at the government house, Governor Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi charged the committee to take all necessary and lawful measures to ensure security and lasting peace and harmony among various communities and in all corners of the State.
Noting that Enugu State is in the hands of God, the governor said is rated as one of the most secure and peaceful states in the country, therefore the State capital Enugu, continues to enjoy a pride of place as the first and only city in the country to be listed among the 100 most resilient cities of the world.
Ugwuanyi said the constitution of the Committee was necessitated by the desire of his administration to consolidate this enviable status of the state through the continued maintenance of a high level of security and the elimination and prevention of circumstances or incidents that threaten peace and security of lives and properties in the state.
The governor said the all inclusive Committee which is distinct from the State Security Council, is to be chaired by Brigadier General Fred Eze (rtd), whom he described as highly and vastly experienced former senior member of the nation’s Armed Forces.
In addition to being the Chairman of the Security Committee, Brigadier General Eze was also appointed the Special Adviser to the Governor on Security Matters.
The Committee according to the Governor Ugwuanyi, also comprises members of the Enugu State Executive Council, members of the Enugu State House of Assembly, the Security Agencies, Local Government Council Chairmen, representatives of the Fulani, Shuwa Arab and Hausa communities in Enugu State, representatives of Cattle Market Traders, Traditional Rulers, President Generals of Town Unions, Neighbourhood Watch Associations, representatives of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) and Student leaders in Enugu State.
He further announced that similar committees are to be constituted in each Local Government Council and in each political ward in the state to ensure that peace and harmony reign in the state.
“I therefore enjoin all members of the committee, to approach this all important task with requisite zeal, sincerity and commitment, in the interest of all citizens and the entire society.
I assure them of the full support and cooperation of the State Government towards the attainment of the Committee’s set objectives”.
Responding Brigadier General Eze (rtd), thanked the governor for reposing confident on them and assured that he will bring his experience to bear to ensure that the state returns to its formal status as the safest place in the country.
