By Our Reporter
Calabar South local government council has mapped out measures to float a cluster of neighborhood organisations to curb insecurity.
The Council Chairman, Pastor Patrick Archibong, who dropped the hint while addressing a town hall meeting organized by leaders of Ward 10, directed ward leaders to mobilise youths in their respective wards to form clusters of vigilante groups for neighborhood policing.
Pastor Archibong explained that the idea behind the initiative is to ensure that the area is save for economic activities to strive.
He pointed out that a budgetary provision to that effect would be presented to the Legislative Assembly for approval to endure that a monthly stipend is paid to those involved in the exercise.
The council chairman noted with dismay that for quite a while Calabar South LGA became a flash point for criminal activities and that with the people’s first agenda philosophy of the Governor, Sen Prince Bassey Edet Otu, there is every need to rebrand the area.
“We cannot be talking about the season of sweetness when the people are living in fear of being attacked by hoodlums,” he reasoned.
He further explained that the essence of partnering with ward leaders for the mobilisation of youths for the vigilante project was to ensure that only those with sterling records were recruited, and therefore charged ward leaders to identify a suitable location for the establishment of a mini_ market to boost the internally generated revenue base of the council.
The Leader of the Legislative Assembly, Hon Peter Nya, had in his opening remark appealed for cooperation and support from the people to enable the local government council to succeed in the implementation of the various development projects earmarked for execution by the council.
Hon Nya, who is also the councilor representing Ward 10 in the Council area assured his constituents of the determination of the present administration of Calabar South LGA led by Pastor Patrick Archibong to make a difference in terms of implementing landmark and people-oriented development programs.