Lawrence Nwimo, Awka
Anambra State Government has received the interim report of the Anambra State Truth, Justice and Peace Committee.
The State Governor, Professor Chukwuma Soludo, received the report at the Executive Chambers, Government House, Awka.
Speaking shortly before the presentation, the Chairman of the committee, Professor Chidi Odinkalu who joined virtually, said that during the course of their assignment, they interviewed ninety-one witnesses in over twenty communities, thirteen federal agencies, four different states and other countries including South Africa, Argentina and Denmark.
Professor Odinkalu explained that they discovered that there is no simple narrative to the crises of insecurity across the region, describing it as a complex scenario of crime that is unrelated to the agitation.
While making a series of recommendations including establishment of a body in charge of taking note of missing persons, Governor’s approval to conduct a public hearing on the matter after the election, among others, Professor Odinkalu also requested the extension of their work duration so that they will be able to conclude and submit their final report.
Receiving the report, Governor Soludo who approved their request to extend their work beyond the election, said that urgent and serious consideration will be given to their recommendations, commending them for distinguishing the agitation from the wanton criminality which has become lucrative.
He appreciated the Committee and other partners including the United Nations Development Programme, among others for what has been done so far.
Earlier, the Secretary to the State Government, Professor Solo Chukwulobelu recalled that the seventeen-member Committee was established on April 6, 2022, and was inaugurated on June 23, 2022, due to the high level of restiveness in the region at inception of the present administration.
Professor Chukwulobelu explained that the move was to achieve calmness in the region, to enable the Governor to pursue and achieve his development agenda for the region.
The event featured the handover of the report to the Governor.
