Otti, Mbah Activate Peer Review Mechanism, Plot Joint Strategy to Counter Security Threats in S’East

Emmanuel Ugwu-Nwogo in Umuahia

Abia State Governor, Alex Otti and his Enugu counterpart, Peter Mbah, activated peer review mechanism in governance weekend as they compared notes and discussed issues of mutual interest for their states.
Mbah came calling on Otti in his office and both governors held a closed -door meeting during which they agreed on a joint strategy to tackle security problems that have persisted in Enugu, Abia, and the entire Southeast zone.
They underscored the need to strengthen and sustain collaborative efforts among the states of Southeast zone in finding solution to a common problem.

Otti told journalists after the meeting that he and his brother governors were desirous of enhancing security in the entire region and would leave no stone unturned to achieve that goal.
He lauded the Enugu State Governor for his visit which underpins the cordial relationship existing between the governments of Enugu and Abia States, adding that the visit was auspicious.
“You know, we share boundaries. So, some of the things we discussed are also, how to ensure that there is security and that our people are secured in those places,” Otti said.

He stated they discussed about Abia and Enugu joining hands to fight insecurity as it would be more effective because “if he (Mbah) successfully drives away criminals from (Enugu), they will probably end up here (in Abia).
“If we don’t do anything, then, one part of the South East will be secured and the other part will not be. So, this kind of cooperation is very important,” Otti stated.
The Abia governor said his administration and many other states support the creation of state police, adding that he remains hopeful that the federal government would sooner than later consider the proposal.
“I’m completely in sync with my brother’s (Mba) position. As a matter of fact, our two states and many other states, have supported the creation of state police,” he said.

Otti noted that “the issue of security, just like politics, is local” hence the need for the federal government to consider the position of governors on the issue of state police and make it a reality.
On the issue of equalisation of states, the Abia Governor re-echoed the call for the creation of additional state in the South East region, given that Southeast has the least number of states among the six geo-political zones of the country.

“Virtually every geopolitical zone has six, and I believe the North West (even) has seven states. The South East has five states. So, I’m also in alignment with the creation of one additional state in the South East,” Otti stated.
Corroborating his host, Governor Mbah explained that he came to Abia to rub minds with Governor Otti on issues of common interest for their two states, bothering on the provision of enhanced welfare for the people.

“I, essentially, came to talk about how we would continue to serve our people better. And so, that’s largely why I’m here for us to compare notes.
“Our focus is largely on governance. We believe that the people are the epicentre of governance. So, what we do, the projects and programmes we execute are all about the people,” he said.
Mbah, who like Otti, came into governance from the private sector, said that he came to commend the Abia Governor “for the great work he is doing for the people of Abia State across several sectors”.
“And I’m sure, you know that’s something we have in common between Abia and Enugu,” he added.