New York [RR] AWKA—RepublicReport.com can authoritatively report that Onitsha Barracks is up for fencing 50-plus-years later after it was established by the federal government, reports say. Competent source told RR that this has become necessary as criminal activities and kidnapping by men of underworld have plummeted. 

According to the Ama-Mbara State governor Peter Obi, “This is the only Army Barracks that he knew that is not fenced in Nigeria” reports added. Political pundits have reported in the past and recently that, “Absence of federal infrastructures and investments in the former Eastern Region are part of marginalization policies engineered by both military and civilian administration to keep Igbo-Nation under…” adding that “indigenization doctrine against Igbo-Nation has always been there after the civil war between Biafra and Nigeria 1967-1970”. Political analysts say “with colossal dysfunctional system and fear of unknown in today’s Nigeria… it is pretty much too little too late now”, reports added. 

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As part of the measures to check criminal activities in Anambra State, especially Onitsha, Gov. Peter Obi has been championing and, indeed canvassing the fencing of the Army Barracks at Onitsha. He has always insisted that it is the only Army Barracks that he knew that is not fenced in Nigeria. 

At the meeting with the Federal Minister of Defence, Prince Adetokumbo Kayode (SAN) at the Defence Headquarters, Abuja on Monday night, Gov. Obi, who did not know that his appeal for the fencing had been approved, said that the barracks was one of the security challenges Anambra State had. According to him, because of the markets around the barracks, some criminals and armed robbers, once being pursued always run into the market and once they do this, it becomes difficult for security agencies to access the place. 

In his own remarks, the Hon. Minister of defence, Prince Adetokunbo Kayode (SAN), flanked by the Permanent Secretary, Dr. Ezekiel Oyemomi commended Gov. Obi for his concern for the good of his State. He also announced that the president, Dr. Goodluck Jonathan had graciously approved the immediate fencing of the barracks, consequent upon his letters and representations on the issue. 

The Minister said that due to the Gov.’s appeal and passionate pursuit of the project as part of the measure to check criminal activities in the State, that the Ministry would set machinery in motion for the immediate fencing to start. He said that the officers from the Ministry would soon visit the barracks for evaluation and that in the next one week or two, that the Ministry would have taken a critical position on aspects of the fencing. 

The Minister who said that when all the States in the country were secured that the country would become secured said the army would continue to assist in maintaining security as they are doing through Operation Messa. 

The Minister who brought the President’s greetings to the Governor said that both of them, the President and the Governor, shared a lot of qualities together such as humility and hard work and that with the crop of leaders like them,  there was hope for the country. 

It will be recalled that Gov. Obi had written many letters to the two immediate former Presidents and the current President on the fencing of the barracks at Onitsha. 

Caption for the Picture—Gov. Peter Obi (left), explaining to the Hon. Minister of defence, Prince Adetokunbo Kayode (SAN), (right), the need for the fencing of Onitsha Barracks on Monday when the Gov. visited him in his Office in Abuja. 

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Onitsha Barracks to be fenced

By JUDE ATUPULAZI  July 29, 2010 11:56PM

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