Southeast leaders have called on President Bola Tinubu to order the removal of roadblocks and checkpoints in the region, citing their detrimental effects on logistics costs, inflation, and economic growth.
The appeal was made on Saturday during a town hall meeting in Enugu, part of President Tinubu’s official visit to the state, where he inaugurated various projects completed under Governor Peter Mbah’s administration.
A key speaker at the event, Onyemuche Nnamani, argued that Enugu State’s advanced security infrastructure, including a command and control center, CCTV systems, and patrol car cameras, renders the roadblocks obsolete.
He emphasized that the checkpoints not only inflate transportation costs but also discourage investments and expose security personnel to unnecessary risks.
“These roadblocks inflate logistics costs, discourage investment, and even expose security personnel to unnecessary risks,” Nnamani said, urging the federal government to focus on alternative security strategies to promote economic growth and improve safety perceptions in the region.
Chris Ngu, another stakeholder, highlighted the untapped potential of the Anambra Basin, which holds an estimated one billion barrels of oil and 30 billion cubic feet of gas reserves. He described it as a critical resource that could drive industrial development, power generation, and economic transformation, not only for the Southeast but for Nigeria as a whole.
“The future is gas, and developing the Anambra Basin could catalyze industrial growth and power generation, benefiting not just the Southeast but the entire nation,” Ngu stated, calling on President Tinubu to prioritize exploration and development of the basin.
Adding to the discussion, former Minister of Power, Prof. Chinedu Nebo, advocated for the revival of the rail network in Enugu and neighboring states. He stressed that improved rail connectivity would enhance regional development and reduce reliance on road transportation.
In response, President Tinubu acknowledged the leaders’ concerns and assured them of his administration’s dedication to fostering equitable development across all regions of Nigeria.
