South-East town unions association condemns attacks on public infrastructure

The Association of South-East Town Unions has decried the spate of violence in different parts of the zone, leading to the loss of lives and destruction of public infrastructure.

The National President of the association, Chief Emeka Diwe, disclosed this on Thursday, while briefing newsmen on the outcome of the group’s security meeting in Enugu.
Diwe described the attacks as reprehensible and anti-development.

He said the prevailing situation had rolled back the progress made by businessmen and women from the area to repatriate some of their investments outside the region.
“We, therefore, call on those who indulge in such retrogressive enterprise to have a rethink and immediately retrace their steps in the overall interest of the people.

“The Federal Government should also withdraw the draconian orders given to security operatives in the area, which have led to the ongoing profiling of Igbo youths,” he said.

He further said the association was worried over the alleged mass arrests and cases of human rights violations, especially in Imo and Abia.
Diwe called on the governors from the zone to rise to the challenge to enthrone good leadership and also protect people’s lives and property in the area.
“The governors must rededicate themselves to the protection of lives and property by making judicious use of their security votes and apparatuses to arrest the situation,” he said.
He called on state governments that had not legislated on the neighbourhood watch and vigilance group laws to do so.

“There is an urgent need to revamp and upscale the capacity of the already existing self-help community security initiatives which our people have trusted over the years for safety.
“We want the governors in the region to ensure that we have a robust and fully operational regional security laws, which must not be politicised,” the group said.

It called on the stakeholders from the zone to support the establishment of a public-private-community trust fund for security.
“This will help to have 21st Century security systems to ensure that lives and property are well protected in our region,” Diwe said. (NAN)