By Emeka Mamah, Chinedu Adonu & Chimaobi Nwaiwu

Enugu—THE governors of South-East geopolitical zone and leaders of Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, yesterday, rose from a meeting in Enugu with a resolution to introduce a more enduring and sustainable strategy to protect lives and properties of the Igbo.

This was even as the governors promised to ensure full implementation of the 2016 budget signed last Friday, to enable the people benefit in the area of roads, especially for the reconstruction and rehabilitation of Enugu-Onitsha and Aba-Ikot Ekpene express roads.

Those who met in Enugu included Governors Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi of Enugu State; Dave Umahi, Ebonyi, and Okezie Ikpeazu, Abia.

Other PDP leaders, who met alongside the governors of PDP were the Deputy Senate President, Senator Ike Ekweremadu; former governors of Anambra and Imo states, Peter Obi and Ikedi Ohakim, respectively.

Ekweremadu, who spoke to newsmen after the meeting, said they met to appraise the developments in the zone, following the last herdsmen attack on Nimbo in Uzo Uwani Local Government Area of Enugu State.

He said: “We intend to put in place endurable measures so that such attack will not happen again,” while commending President Muhammadu Buhari for signing the 2016 budget.

He, however, asked the Federal Government to implement the budget as it affects the South-East well, especially in the area of roads.

His words: “Most of the Internally Displaced Persons, IDPs, are back in their places. We reviewed ways of finding a lasting solution for the protection of our people against further Fulani herdsmen attacks. We want to seize this opportunity to condole with the victims and are putting measures in place to forestall a repeat.

“On the Enugu-Onitsha, Aba-Ikot Ekpene express roads, among others, Federal Government had in the past, awarded contracts for the reconstruction and rehabilitation of these to incompetent contractors.

“This time, we will ensure that competent contractors will handle the road projects to give our people a sense of belonging.”

… as Umeh advocates restriction

Meanwhile, former National Chairman of All Progressives Grand Alliance, APGA, and the party’s candidate in the Anambra Central Senatorial re-run, Chief Victor Umeh, has said cattle rearers should be restricted to ranches in the North.

Chief Umeh, who spoke in Onitsha after attending the commissioning of Archbishop C. J. Patterson International Auditorium Complex, blamed incessant clashes between the Fulani herdsmen and farmers in the country on migrant cattle rearing.