Non-implementation of approved budgets and contract awards to incompetent road contractors were responsible for the inability of the previous administration to reconstruct major federal highways in the southeast, governors and leaders of the zone said yesterday.

At a meeting of Southeast governors and former governors of the zone in Enugu, the leaders also unveiled their plan to put a lasting and sustainable strategy to ensure the protection of lives and property of the people of the zone against further attacks by herdsmen, just as they hailed Enugu Governor, Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi for resettling the displaced natives of Ukpabi Nimbo, who fled after a recent attack by herdsmen back to their community.

At the meeting were Governors Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi (Enugu), Okezie Ikpeazu (Abia) and Dave Umahi (Ebonyi). Deputy Senate President, Ike Ekweremadu, former governors Peter Obi and Ikedi Ohakim. Although Governors Rochas Okorocha (Imo) and Willie Obiano were invited, they neither showed nor sent any representative. Former Governors Martin Elechi, Sullivan Chime, among others, were also absent from the meeting.

Addressing reporters on the outcome of the meeting, Ekweremadu said the governors believed that the “change mantra will begin with the signing of the budget,” stressing that the southeast would monitor its implementation to ensure it received what was due to it.

“We reviewed the 2016 budget of the Federal Republic of Nigeria and we commend the Federal Government and National Assembly for reaching an understanding that led to the final signing of the budget. We do believe that the change will now begin and it is our hope that all the items contained in the budget with respect to the southeast will be fully implemented, especially the road projects including the Enugu –Aba, Enugu-Onitsha and Aba –Ikot Ekpene and some other roads within the southeast, which has been provided for in the budget.