The much anticipated Anambra Town Hall Conversation has taken place between 2 candidates in the November 16 governorship elections in Anambra State.
How to tackle the security situation in the state became one of the critical issues that were discussed at the event which was organized by Channels Television.
The All Progressives Congress (APC) Candidate, Dr. Chris Ngige took the audience back into memory lane, reminding them of how he successfully utilised unconventional means to tackle the menace, and also made judicious use of security funds.
“I established a vigilante service that comes up from the community level to the Local Government level, to the state level. I trained them in the conventional Police method… We employed those people and you were here in Anambra State, robbery vanished.
For the APC candidate, unemployment provides a ready workforce for crime and criminal activities. His approach to crime prevention is therefore to create jobs, encourage skills acquisition and to overhaul the education system to facilitate skilled workforce.
On his part, the Labour Party candidate, Ifeanyi Uba said that corporate organizations doing business in Anambra State will be asked to contribute in the fight against armed robbery and other crimes.
“I sincerely believe that we need to go into digital solution for Anambra insecurity; there is no need arresting people or paying hoodlums. You cannot continue to pay hoodlums with the state fund, even if it’s from security fund.”
“What the security fund is meant for is to upgrade and transform the security system of Government.”
He promised to engage telecom firms operating in the state to develop an elaborate communication network that would facilitate speedy sharing of information on criminal activities, which would in turn help in preventing crimes like kidnapping.
While Senator Ngige also promised to reintroduce free education at the primary and secondary schools in the state, Mr Ubah insisted that free education is not what Anambra people need. Rather he would identify those who cannot afford to pay their fees and the Government will support them.
Candidates of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP), Tony Nwoye, the Progressive Peoples Alliance (PPA), Godwin Ezeemo and the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA), Willie Obiano were absent at the event.
