Chinedum Treasure
Obi of Onitsha, Igwe Alfred Nnaemeka Achebe has urged President Bola Tinubu to convene a non-partisan national economic and security summit to forge collective way forward for the country.
He said the call has become inevitable following continuing insecurity and effects of sudden removal of fuel price subsidy.
Speaking during the 2024 Ofala festival in Onitsha, Achebe identified economy and security as two areas of concern, regretting that their effects had affected cost of living, business closure, loss of employment, state of hopelessness and lack of trust in government.
He regretted that the situation had exacerbated despite calls by several individuals and organizations, urging government to give urgent attention to its fundamental constitutional responsibility of security and well-being of citizens.
“Some of the specific views put forward include devolution and downsizing of governance, nexus between insecurity, agriculture and high cost of living, impact of fuel price, bad governance driven by corruption and political leaders ostentatious lifestyle.
“In the Southeast zone, we still face the unrelenting scourge of the unknown gunmen who kill, maim and kidnap their fellow Ndigbo for money. Schools, market and public facilities have remained closed on Mondays at enormous and social cost to Ndigbo,” he lamented.
Achebe further expressed worry over Governor Chukwuma Soludo’s decision not to provide additional funding for the Vigilante Services amidst increased armed criminal activities in the community.
“The governor has declared categorically that government would not provide any additional funding for the Vigilante Service, while maintaining that traditional rulers, as chief security officers of their community, would be held accountable for any security breaches.
“Already, our urbanized and sprawling domain is stretched beyond limit to adequately meet the bare essential salary so as to avoid loss of morale and commitment amongst our combined vigilante personnel numbering 36,” he added.
The Royal Father also lamented the discontinuation of monthly meetings of the Anambra State Traditional Rulers Council (ASTRC) by state government seven months ago following his letter to Commissioner for Local Government, Chieftaincy and Community Affairs over suspension of two monarchs in the state.
Describing the move as unfortunate, Achebe said the development had crippled the Council’s activities, including meetings to deliberate on matters of state interest and participating in affairs of nation’s traditional institutions at national and sub-national levels.
“This is most unfortunate at this period that other states, as well as Federal government and National Assembly are seriously seeking ways to enhance the relevance of the traditional institution in the country,” he decried.
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