Some groups and stakeholders at a Town Hall meeting organised by the Enugu State government on Saturday at the old Government Lodge, have commended the Enugu State Governor, Peter Mbah for taking a bold step in his recent visit to the President of Nigeria, Bola Tinubu for the release of IPOB leader Nnamdi Kanu and open door for dialogue.
The meeting was attended by stakeholders, unions, representatives of various bodies, associations, including Governor of Enugu State, Peter Mbah, and the Deputy Governor, Ifeanyi Ossai and other government officials, heads of security and intelligence agencies at the Old Government Lodge to deliberate on the the way forward.
The stakeholders noted that the Mbah’s laudable steps taken so far were to ensure peace is returned to the state and doors are open for serious dialogue with those with genuine grievances, asking that those with various grievances should kindly indicate and come for dialogue to cushion the impact of sit-at-home on the economy.
The meeting resolved: “That the decision of the Enugu State Government cancelling the Monday sit-at-home order considering its detrimental impacts on productivity, investment flow, and the Igbo spirit of creativity, entrepreneurship and commerce is hereby endorsed by the town-hall.
“That the town-hall reiterates the position of the State Government, and further appeals to the President to act on the governor’s request by releasing Mazi Nnamdi Kanu, and expedite the process of national healing, national integration and national reconciliation.
“That the town-hall calls on the State Government to resuscitate, overhaul, rejig and strengthen internal security mechanisms such as the Community Policing, Neighbourhood Watch, Forest Guards, amongst others, in the state.
“That the stakeholders and representatives of various groups at the town-hall meeting – traditional rulers, religious leaders, heads of institutions, corporate bodies, youth and students leaders, transport and market associations, etc – shall educate and sensitize their members on the gains of ending the Monday sit-at-home and getting back to work.
“That the security agencies should continue to work round the clock in order to reassure citizens and residents of their safety, not only on Mondays, but also on other days of the week.
“That the town-hall proposes that the Government should procure special commercial city buses and taxies that will ply the routes beyond 9.00 pm when tricycle operators are prohibited from doing so.”
“That the town-hall supports any security measure or measures and other steps the State Government deems necessary in order to end the Monday sit-at-home and get people back to work in the overall interest of the state and its residents.
Read also: Mbah says no more sit-at-home in Enugu
“That the town-hall enjoins members of the public to resume work and go about their normal daily businesses as various security and intelligence agencies have, in their joint and collaborative efforts, given assurance(s) of their safety, including proactive responses to distress calls any time of the day.
“That the town-hall urges members of the public to continue to support the government and security agencies by sharing vital information with them, including suspicious movements and gatherings by strange persons or groups of persons in any part of the state, including forests and borders.
“That the town-hall urges persons and groups with genuine grievances to take the opportunity of dialogue offered by the Government of Enugu State to engage the government on their grievances to ensure lasting peace and security in the state.
The communique was signed by all the leaders of all the associations and groups.
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