Southeast Governors have spoken on the zone’s recent exclusion from the proposed Federal Government’s $N22.7bn loan.
So many people and groups especially those from the zone have reacted over the issue with condemnation coming from all angles.
From the template listing what the loan would be used for, no single project is to be cited in the south east zone, while other zones got a project to be cited in their regions.
The five governors’ that make up the zone met on Saturday under the umbrella of South East Governors Forum, and issued a statement addressing some of complains raised.
Agitators had claimed that despite reservations expressed by the National Assembly members representing the zone, the Senate went ahead to approve the loan, but the Governors noted that the Senate was yet to approve the loan, while the lower chamber was yet to even consider the loan.
They said that they have communicated President and the Speaker of the House of Representatives over the none inclusion, adding that they were assured that something would be done to correct it.
The statement reads: ‘‘South East Governors’ Forum met on Saturday 7th March, 2020, following a lot of calls and condemnations from our people questioning why South East should be excluded from the proposed Federal Government’s Loan of Twenty-Two Billion, Seven Hundred Thousand US Dollars ($22.7 Billion), whereas the other 5 zones of the country have visible budget”.
“Our people gave the impression that the Senate had already approved the sum despite objections raised by the South East Senators.
“We therefore plead with our people to be calm and engage us constructively as we believe that Mr. President has never said no to any of the requests of the South East Governors.
“The South East Governors believe that we can deploy dialogue, negotiation and good understanding to right any perceived injustice, rather than engage the Federal Government in a battle of which no body is expected to win the boss”
“We have written to Mr. President and the leadership of the National Assembly on this matter and we believe that the inclusion of the South East Rail line corridors, development of our Coal Plant in Enugu and development of limestone deposits in the South East should make the list with the loan”
‘We must however continue to thank our dear President for his unstoppable kind attention on the construction of the 2nd Niger Bridge, renovation/expansion of Akanu Ibiam International Airport, Reconstruction of Portharcourt/Enugu two-lane expressway, and other projects in the South East by the Federal Government’.
‘We pledge our loyalty and support to Mr. President in the face of this challenging moment of our National history as we keep faith in God Almighty”, the said.
