Governors of the South-South and South-East geo-political zones
yesterday met at Government House Port Harcourt where they
discussed regional and economic integration to enhance the
development of the area.
In his welcome address, Rivers State Governor, Nyesom Ezenwo
Wike said: “Even in contemporary Nigeria, we still share the same
or similar challenges, including insecurity, poverty and
under-development despite the best of efforts by the constituent
State governments. Today, the two regions are the most politically
and economically marginalised within the nation, environmentally
degraded and deliberated neglected by the federal government in
appointments and provisions of basic development
infrastructures.”
The governor noted that, “none of the airports and seaports
located in the regions is reasonably functional, while the few
federal roads are not in good shape, neither are the two regions
linked by any rail services.”
Wike said: “From geo-strategic economic perspective, therefore,
there is an urgent need to establish and link our cities with
railways and super highways; to provide viable and affordable
flight services between our cities, and to ensure that cargoes are
brought into the country and the regions through our seaports,
jetties and ferry services as a veritable means of stimulating
economic growth and social progress across our two regions.
“Also, we are all aware that economic growth and social progress
are possible only in a peaceful and secure environment. And much as
we try to tackle this menace in our respective States by providing
the necessary logistic support to the security agencies,
perceptions of insecurity are on the rise, doing significant damage
to our investment climate, thereby, preventing reasonable inflow of
direct foreign and local investment into the regions.”
He urged his colleagues to “be confident in the rightness of our
course and clear in our considerations that we have been and would
continue to be worse off without the will to exploit our political
and economic complementarities to drive our ways into political,
economic and social prosperity.
“Above all, we must continue to demand the devolution of powers
and resources to the states as well as the institutionalisation of
State police, now that there is national consensus on these
issues.”
Chairman of the South-South and South-East Governors Forum and
Akwa Ibom State Governor, Udom Emmanuel urged the governors of the
two regions to form a common front for socio-economic
development.
He described the meeting as a new beginning for the two
geo-political zones for the good of her people.
Governor Emmanuel expressed delight that the governors set aside
impediments to chart a new direction. He charged the two regions to
work together for prosperity.
He said: “Federal presence in the region is minimal and only
seen in the presence of policemen.”
He called for the development of an industrial framework that
will enhance development and noted that the regions were better of
united than divided.
He urged Nigerians to continue to strive for the unity of the
country.
In attendance were Akwa Ibom Governor, Udom Emmanuel, Governor
Nyesom Ezenwo Wike of Rivers State, Governor Ifeanyi Okowa of Delta
State, Governor Dave Umahi of Ebonyi State, Governor Rochas
Okorocha of Imo State and Governor Okezie Ikpeazu of Abia
State.
Others were Acting Governor of Bayelsa State, Rear Admiral
Gboribiogha John Jonah, Deputy Governor of Anambra State, Dr Nkem
Okeke, Enugu State Governor, Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi, Edo State Deputy
Governor, Philip Shaibu and Cross River State, Prof. Ivara Esu.
Governors of the South-South and South-East geo-political zones
yesterday met at Government House Port Harcourt where they
discussed regional and economic integration to enhance the
development of the area.
In his welcome address, Rivers State Governor, Nyesom Ezenwo
Wike said: “Even in contemporary Nigeria, we still share the same
or similar challenges, including insecurity, poverty and
under-development despite the best of efforts by the constituent
State governments. Today, the two regions are the most politically
and economically marginalised within the nation, environmentally
degraded and deliberated neglected by the federal government in
appointments and provisions of basic development
infrastructures.”
The governor noted that, “none of the airports and seaports
located in the regions is reasonably functional, while the few
federal roads are not in good shape, neither are the two regions
linked by any rail services.”
Wike said: “From geo-strategic economic perspective, therefore,
there is an urgent need to establish and link our cities with
railways and super highways; to provide viable and affordable
flight services between our cities, and to ensure that cargoes are
brought into the country and the regions through our seaports,
jetties and ferry services as a veritable means of stimulating
economic growth and social progress across our two regions.
“Also, we are all aware that economic growth and social progress
are possible only in a peaceful and secure environment. And much as
we try to tackle this menace in our respective States by providing
the necessary logistic support to the security agencies,
perceptions of insecurity are on the rise, doing significant damage
to our investment climate, thereby, preventing reasonable inflow of
direct foreign and local investment into the regions.”
He urged his colleagues to “be confident in the rightness of our
course and clear in our considerations that we have been and would
continue to be worse off without the will to exploit our political
and economic complementarities to drive our ways into political,
economic and social prosperity.
“Above all, we must continue to demand the devolution of powers
and resources to the states as well as the institutionalisation of
State police, now that there is national consensus on these
issues.”
Chairman of the South-South and South-East Governors Forum and
Akwa Ibom State Governor, Udom Emmanuel urged the governors of the
two regions to form a common front for socio-economic
development.
He described the meeting as a new beginning for the two
geo-political zones for the good of her people.
Governor Emmanuel expressed delight that the governors set aside
impediments to chart a new direction. He charged the two regions to
work together for prosperity.
He said: “Federal presence in the region is minimal and only
seen in the presence of policemen.”
He called for the development of an industrial framework that
will enhance development and noted that the regions were better of
united than divided.
He urged Nigerians to continue to strive for the unity of the
country.
In attendance were Akwa Ibom Governor, Udom Emmanuel, Governor
Nyesom Ezenwo Wike of Rivers State, Governor Ifeanyi Okowa of Delta
State, Governor Dave Umahi of Ebonyi State, Governor Rochas
Okorocha of Imo State and Governor Okezie Ikpeazu of Abia
State.
Others were Acting Governor of Bayelsa State, Rear Admiral
Gboribiogha John Jonah, Deputy Governor of Anambra State, Dr Nkem
Okeke, Enugu State Governor, Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi, Edo State Deputy
Governor, Philip Shaibu and Cross River State, Prof. Ivara Esu.
Read more https://nairalaw.com/ssouth-seast-govs-seek-regional-development/