Imo government has announced plans to launch a security outfit in the state on Nov. 30, the state Commissioner for Information and Strategy, Mr Declan Emelumba discloses.
The commissioner made the disclosure while briefing newsmen after the State Executive Council meeting at the Government House, Owerri on Wednesday.
Emelumba said that the outfit had become imperative as a result of the security situation in the state added that it would be a combination of vigilance and community policing model.
He also said that in view of the proactive manner in which the governor was addressing security challenges in the state, the Council saw reasons to seek approval for more security funding from the state House of Assembly.
According to him, this is to enable the government to deal with extra expenditure incurred as a result of insecurity in the state.
“The launch has become necessary to check further insecurity and make the yuletide celebrations comfortable for Imo people both at home and in the diaspora.
“Council regrets that money which government would have used to attend to more development-oriented matters in the state is diverted to security matters.
“This is the opportunity cost of insecurity to the people of Imo which everyone must rise to condemn and assist to contain,” he said.
He further said that the government was set to reactivate the development centres across the state as a way of further improving on the well-being of the rural dwellers.
According to him, the number of development centres would increase from 44 to 50 and a supplementary appropriation of N31.9 billion had been sent to the state House of Assembly for approval.
“When reactivated, the new development centers as proposed will have all Town Union Presidents of communities in Imo as members.
“The essence of this is to allow communities, through their Town Union Presidents, articulate their needs for the attention of the state government,” he said.