President Muhammadu Buhari has approved the deployment of surveillance security devices in the Southeast to restore peace in the zone.
Imo State Governor Hope Uzodimma made this known to reporters after meeting with Buhari at the Presidential Villa, Abuja yesterday.
He did not give details of the security equipment which, according to him, will be delivered “in a moment from now.”
Uzodimma said the approval followed his request to Buhari to consider such facilities for the restoration of peace in the Southeast.
His words: “I appealed to him(the President ) for further support, to support us with some technological or advanced kind of security devices to restore peace in the Southeast. He (Buhari) has given his approval to that.
”In a moment from now, we’ll be getting some surveillance equipment and some modern technologies that will help us manage security so that we can fight crime with little or no collateral damage to the environment.”
The governor, who expressed optimism that the people of his state would have a better year than they did in 2022, gave other reasons he visited the President.
He said that the visit was ”also to thank him (Buhari) for the various supports he gave to us during this period of security challenges and the support, he’s also given to us in terms of various approval.
“The approval to convert Federal Medical Center Owerri to a university teaching hospital for the Federal University of Technology, the approval that converted Alvan Ikoku College of Education to a federal college of education.”
Uzodimma, who responded to criticisms of his administration from some quarters, also commended the President for the Second Niger Bridge which is nearing completion.
“Only two weeks ago, Igbos that came home from Lagos and outside Southeast enjoyed the benefit of the second Niger Bridge. This is something that is worthy of commendation,” he said.
Highlighting some achievements of his administration, Uzodimma, said he was pleased that critics are not accusing him and his aides of corruption but of “not working.”
He said: “Those who are fighting me in my state are not saying we’re not working. They’re not saying we’re not developing the place. They are not accusing us of corruption. All they are saying is that they are contriving, instigating insecurity out of desperation, and then blaming the security on a government.”
On assurance for Imo State in the New Year, the governor stated: “My people are enthusiastic and committed Nigerians and we believe in the unity of the country.
“We believe that for us to grow as a people, we need the support of the Federal Government.
“I know 2023 will be better than 2022 and the level of development, we witnessed from 2020 to 2022 will be improved upon.
“My people have seen a lot of things. If you go to Southeast, in Imo State, for instance, we got the approval of Mr. President, which has now enabled the government to partner the Nigerian Navy to dredge Oguta River to Orashi River to the sea. That is going to open up that maritime route.
“So, I think we’ve done so well. And I’m happy by the grace of God, as soon as we’re able to bring the security to naught, we’ll have an environment that we will all celebrate.”
