Follow Us on Google
By Sunday Ani
A joint security base that would accommodate the army, police, civil defence and similar security agencies to cater for the Omambala region in Anambra State is underway.
The project, funded solely by the Prime Minister of Anambra State Association of Town Unions (ASATU), Chief John Metchie, who also doubles as the President General of Umueri community, is part of efforts to frontally tackle and combat insecurity in four local government areas of the state.
Located at the border between Anambra-East and West, the base when completed, would make it easier for the benefitting security agencies to engage in rapid response against banditry, kidnapping, armed robbery and other criminal activities in the area.
Performing the foundation laying stone ceremony, a former lawmaker, Senator Emma Anosike, describef the project as a welcome development, and a timely response to insecurity in the region.
Anosike noted that security was a collective responsibility of all, and stressed that the establishment of a joint unit for the Nigerian Army and other agencies would go a long way to guaranteeing a secured atmosphere not only in Umueri community, but also in the entire Omambala region, comprising Anambra-East, Anambra-west, Ayamelum and a few other local government area in the Anambra North senatorial district.
He, therefore, thanked Chief Metchie for his lofty ideas and service to humanity. He added that Metchie’s philanthropy has yielded monumental results for the benefits of the communities and humanity in general.
In his response, Metchie, who is also the Commander General of the Nigeria Hunters and Forest Security Service in charge of Technical Service said he chose to construct the joint base for the security agencies to foster unity of purpose among them to be able to synergise and rid the region of criminalities.
He also noted that the project was another way he was responding to the call by the state governor, Prof. Charles Chukwuma Soludo, for all hands to be on deck on the issue of security in particular, and the overall development of Anambra State in general.
The Umueri President-General further disclosed that with the recommendation of the police, army, DSS and the local government chairman, a security post was voted to be cited at the border between Anambra-East and West for crimes control in the area.
He, however, enjoined other wealthy members of the society and communities to borrow a leaf from Umueri community as the government, according to him, could not do everything alone. He added that citizens should be able to assist the government in addressing the basic needs and challenges affecting their respective domains.
Metchie equally lauded the efforts of the government of Soludo in combating insecurity in Anambra State, stressing that it was Governor Soludo who upon inception of office, initiated the home land security for Ndi-Anambra.
A prominent citizen of Umueri community, who commended the President-General for singlehandedly undertaking the project, Chief Emma Edochie, said the nearest army base is Onitsha. He stressed that having a base in Umueri community would enhance security and reduce crime rate in the area.
Present at the ceremony were military officials, and officers of the Nigerian Hunters and Forest Security Service among others.
