Governors, Igbo leaders to Buhari: Take action on South East roads

South East governors and Igbo leaders on Sunday pleaded with the Federal Government under President Muhammadu Buhari to expedite action on all federal roads in the zone, lamenting that the situation of the roads had further deteriorated.
They also agreed on a regional economic summit with support from the United Kingdom Department for International Development to hold between November 11 and 13, 2017.
The Igbo leaders equally approved the visit of Brenthurst Foundation of South Africa to the South East for an economic mission scheduled for between November 6 and 11.
Rising from a meeting in Enugu on Sunday night, the South East leaders frowned on the deplorable state of the Akanu Ibiam International Airport, particularly the runway, the terminal buildings and the cargo shelter.
Those who were in the meeting included Governors of Enugu State, Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi; Ebonyi State, David Umuahi; and Abia State, Okezie Ikpeazu.
Imo and Anambra States were represented by their deputy governors, Eze Madumere and Nkem Okeke respectively.
Also at the meeting were the Deputy Senate President, Ike Ekweremadu; some other members of the National Assembly from the zone; President General of Ohanaeze Ndigbo, Chief Nnia Nwodo; and speakers of the five state Houses of Assembly in the zone.
Former Minister for power, Prof. Barth Nnaji, was also in attendance among other Igbo leaders.
In a communiqué issued at the end of the meeting and read by Umahi, the leaders said: “Further to our meeting with Mr. President earlier in the month on the deplorable state of infrastructure in the South East, especially federal roads such as Enugu-9th Mile- Onitsha Road; Enugu-Port Harcourt Road; Aba-Ikot Ekpene Road; Okigwe-Owerri Road and 9th Mile-Makurdi Express Road.
“The meeting called on the federal government to take urgent steps in repairing the roads especially in this dry season. Equally of importance is the deplorable state of Akanu Ibiam International Airport, especially the runway, terminal buildings and cargo shelter. We request that urgent steps be taken to address the problems at the airport.”
The meeting expressed satisfaction at the willingness and readiness of Anambra State people to come out en-mass and participate in the November 18 governorship election and urged the Independent National Electoral Commission to ensure that the election holds as scheduled.