y Gladys Ekwu
Anambra State Association of Town Unions (ASATU) has called on all communities to expedite action on fighting insecurity in the state.
ASATU made the call during a joint meeting of the association at the Anambra Government House, Awka.
The Presidents General, Women Wing and Youth Wing of the association were at the meeting to lend their voice on how lives and property of the communities would be safeguarded.
While speaking on the resolution of the meeting, the National President, ASATU, Barrister Titus Akpudo, noted that there was need for the improvement of welfare and stipend of the community vigilante personnel as well as provision of vehicles and motorbike, to enable them get to the remotest parts of their communities.
Chief Akpudo appealed to the state government, to channel the third phase of ‘Community Choose Your Project Initiative’ to improvement of security architecture so as to re-enforce the vigilantes, have the database of non-indigenes in communities as well as commercial drivers in the areas.
He called on the youths to work in synergy with the Presidents General of their communities, on how to improve their welfare even as he said they will interact with the traditional rulers in the state so as to get all round security workforce.
In their separate speeches, the National President Of ASATU Women Wing, Lady Franca Nwigbo and the Vice President, Mrs. Ijeoma Esione, stated that involvement of women in security issues was very vital because they are to monitor and give information on the movement of their wards.
They solicited the provision of street lights to some strategic points as well as provision of walkie-talkie to vigilante operatives and other gadgets.
Lending their voices on the issue, National President of ASATU Youth Wing, Mr. Patrick Aghamba and his National Secretary, Mr Emeka Okoye-Ozo lamented that the strength of policemen has been undermined, stressing the need to strengthen the capacity of the AVGS, pointing out that each community should recruit about fifty youths to join in vigilantee services.
They commended Governor Willie Obiano’s commitment in addressing security issues in the state.
Also Speaking, the National Secretary of the association, Professor Charles Nwadigwe advocated erection of barriers at the entrances of major roads so as to know when strangers enter their communities.
