By Chinwe Imo-Eze Onwosi
Chairman of South-East Governors’ Forum, and Ebonyi state Governor, David Umahi, has expressed worry over the proliferation of small arms in the country.
The governor while receiving the Director-General of the National Taskforce/Commission on Proliferation of Small Arms and Ammunition, Baba Muhammed, and his team in Abakaliki, on Monday, also set up a 10-man committee to work with the National Taskforce to enlist over 4,000 residents in the state into the commission.
He commended the President, Major General Muhammadu Buhari (rtd), noting that members of the National Assembly acted with the voice of reason and wisdom in setting up the task force.
Umahi said: “I commend the President, National Assembly people for the Initiative. The level of arms in society is so terrible.
“I think you would also turn your eyes to the borders and then these locally manufactured weapons. So, this will work and it will be very helpful.”
The governor further advocated for the reinvigoration of the federal character principle in the allocation of positions in the country, adding that such would help reduce tension and agitations.
He added, “I will continue to say that we have Federal character and nobody should shy away from saying that.
“Those who intentionally exclude South-East from the affairs of the Nation should remember that it must not end the way they wish it.
“We should try to be fair in this country if we say that we are brothers and sisters.”he stated.
Earlier, the Leader of the delegation, Dr Baba Muhammed said they were in the State to appreciate the Governor for his assistance to the Commission including the provision of Office accommodation and intimate him on other programmes of the Commission.
He announced the designation of Ebonyi State as the Headquarters for Zone 12 of the Commission in its task of mopping up firearms and Ammunition in the hands of unauthorized persons.
The 10-man committee set up to work with the National Taskforce team in the state is made up of the Deputy Governor, Dr Kelechi Igwe; Secretary to the State Government, Dr Kenneth Ugbala; the State Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, Chief Cletus Ofoke; the Head of the service, Dr Rita Okoro; the Special Assistant to the Governor on Media and Strategy, Chief Chooks Oko, and the Special Assistant to the Governor on Internal Security, Mr Panchris Eze.
Others are the Principal Secretary, Chief Emmanuel Obasi and Commissioner for Trade and Investment, Barrister Chioma Nweze.
