South/South Governors Strategise For Region’s Development

Edo State Governor Godwin Obaseki yesterday played host to the governors of the South-South States for the BRACED (Bayelsa, Rivers, Akwa Ibom, Cross River, Edo and Delta) Commission meeting.

The meeting was held at the Edo State Government House, Benin City, and had in attendance Governors Douye Diri of Bayelsa, Sim Fubara of Rivers and Umo Bassey Eno of Akwa Ibom, while Sheriff Oborevwori of Delta State was represented by his deputy, Monday Onyeme.

The commissioners of budget and planning from the six states were also in attendance.

The host, Governor Godwin Obaseki was elected the chairman of the commission at the regional meeting which was held behind closed doors.

Addressing journalists after the meeting, Obaseki said the meeting, which was the first in the new dispensation, became necessary to address and proffer solutions to the critical challenges facing the region.

He said, “It’s against this background that the South-South region must redefine its place and roles in the economic development of Nigeria and for the benefit of our people.

“The director-general of the Commission briefed the Commission on work done in the areas of agriculture, power, education, environment and sports since its inception.

“The Council members spoke of the compelling need to collectively accelerate the development of the states and affirmed their support for the imperatives of the South-South economic cooperation and integration as a practical step towards the creation of a zone of economic development.

The communiqué reads in part: to collectively engage the Federal Government on the development of key infrastructure in the region particularly roads, rail development and the decentralization and rehabilitation of seaports in the region as well as management of security in the Country at large; to engage the NDDC to ensure its activities benefit the BRACED States; to forge a closer and cordial relationship with other regions for the creation of economic corridors that will be beneficial to the region, among others.