From Kenneth Udeh, Abuja
The Chairman, Senate Committee on Privatisation, Senator Orji Uzor Kalu, has condemned the excessive security roadblocks mounted across all major roads in the south east region of the country.
Accordingly, the former Abia Governor called on the leadership of the Nigerian Army and other security agencies to dismantle such roadblocks, as such a strategy is obsolete and worsens the already tense security situation in the region.
Kalu made the call on Sunday during an interview on Arise TV’s This Day news programme anchored by Rebuen Abati.
While revealing his opinion on the pro-Biafran agitator, Simon Ekpa, who was arrested in Finland for alleged terrorism-related activities, Kalu urged the South-East Governors to be resolute and ruthless in dealing with the criminal activities of non-state actors like he did when he was Governor of Abia.
He advised the Army and other security agencies to deploy intelligence-driven strategies to tackle crimes rather than mounting roadblocks, which he said is no longer effective and also subject commuters to untold hardship.
He said, “I am very strong-willed when it comes to security, and I can do anything to safeguard the lives and property of the people I rule. You must be a strong leader to condemn crime, and I eradicated crime. No governor should tolerate any type of crime in his state; it is not allowed.
“Igbos must have safety on their hands. The Federal and State Governors should work towards that, and the Army should dismantle all the roadblocks in Igboland.
“Where people will come with transport and stop on the road is no longer viable, that is no longer security. Security is about Intelligence
“Simon Ekpa was calling and threatening me that I refused to support Biafra, but I left him to his conscience. My conscience is that I am a democrat, an Igboman to heart, and I believe in this country and I believe in my tribe, where I come from, in Igbere.
When asked about his position with regard to the resentment of the proposed tax reform bills currently at the National Assembly, Senator Kalu said that criticisms against the bills were in order, noting that such opinions are in tandem with democratic principles.
Kalu, however, described the bills as progressive, stressing that the amendment of Nigeria’s tax laws are long overdue if the country is to make any meaningful progress.
He allayed fears that bills were designed to retrogress or favour any particular region but rather to spur the country to progress.
Kalu urged the Nigerian public to trust the National Assembly Committee saddled with the task of holding a public hearing assuring that it will be inclusive and transparent to deal with the issues raised against the Bills.
“For me, democracy is about choices, and the choices of democracy are what people believe in, what people think about, and what people try to do.
“Both the holder and beholder are right; in a constitutional democracy, which is about the people, you can’t just agree on everything.
“The bill is a very progressive bill, but if there are disagreements which some people might think are unconstitutional, we will address them
“Because the Senators have already passed it to go for a public hearing and people are concerned about Section 77 and Section 26, which will be addressed at the public hearing,” Kalu stated.