Stakeholders in Enugu State have resolved to revive businesses, to boost the economy after the government banned the sit-at-home order observed on Mondays in the state.
A secessionist group, in August 2021, introduced a sit-at-home order every Monday across the Southeast states to pressure the Nigerian government to release its detained leader, Nnamdi Kanu, who is standing trial for alleged terrorism at the Federal High Court, Abuja.
Sequel to the ban, the Enugu state government this weekend, held a stakeholder’s town hall meeting to fine-tune the ban and find ways of putting the state back to economic growth.
In a communique issued at the end of the meeting, some resolutions were taken.
After extensive and exhaustive deliberations at the town-hall meeting, which also had the Governor of Enugu State, Dr Peter Mbah, and the Deputy Governor, Barr. Ifeanyi Ossai, in attendance, it was resolved as follows:
“That the decision of the Enugu State Government cancelling the Monday sit-at-home order considering its detrimental impacts on productivity, investment flow, and the Igbo spirit of creativity, entrepreneurship and commerce was endorsed by the town hall.
“That the town-hall commends the State Governor, Dr Peter Ndubuisi Mbah, on the laudable steps taken so far to ensure peace is returned to the state, which includes his recent visit to the Nigerian President Bola Tinubu, for the release of the leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Mazi Nnamdi Kanu; opening door for dialogue with those with genuine grievances.
“That the town hall reiterates the position of the State Government, and further appeals to the President Tinubu to act on the governor’s request by releasing Mazi Nnamdi Kanu and expediting the process of national healing, national integration and national reconciliation.
“That the town-hall calls on the State Government to resuscitate, overhaul, rejig and strengthen internal security mechanisms such as the Community Policing, Neighbourhood Watch, and Forest Guards, amongst others, in the state.
“That the stakeholders and representatives of various groups at the town-hall meeting – traditional rulers, religious leaders, heads of institutions, corporate bodies, youth and students leaders, transport and market associations, etc, shall educate and sensitise their members on the gains of ending the Monday sit-at-home and getting back to work.
“Security agencies should continue to work round the clock to reassure citizens and residents of their safety, not only on Mondays but also on other days of the week.
“That the town hall proposes that the Government should procure special commercial city buses and taxis that will ply the routes beyond 9.00 pm local time when tricycle operators are prohibited from doing so.
“That the town hall supports any security measure or measures and other steps the State Government deems necessary to end the Monday sit-at-home and get people back to work in the overall interest of the state and its residents.
“That the town hall enjoins members of the public to resume work and go about their normal daily business as various security and intelligence agencies have, in their joint and collaborative efforts, given assurance(s) of their safety, including proactive responses to distress calls any time of the day.
“That the town-hall urges members of the public to continue to support the government and security agencies by sharing vital information with them, including suspicious movements and gatherings by strange persons or groups of persons in any part of the state, including forests and borders.
“That the town hall urges persons and groups with genuine grievances to take the opportunity of dialogue offered by the Government of Enugu State to engage the government on their grievances to ensure lasting peace and security in the state.”
Representatives of various bodies, institutions, organisations, and associations, including government officials and heads of security and intelligence agencies were all signatories to the communique.
Mercy Chukwudiebere
