Governors of the South-South and South East geo-political zones on Sunday
met at Government House Port Harcourt where they discussed regional and
economic integration to enhance the development of the area .
In attendance are: Chairman of the South-South and South-East Governors
Forum and 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 in attendance include: 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.
In his welcome address, Rivers State Governor, Nyesom Ezenwo Wike stated
that the people of the two geo-political zones have always shared common
heritage and affinity.
He 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 marginalized 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.
Governor 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 said as neighbours, the two regions
must strive to overcome challenges through regional efforts by sharing
resources, intelligence and denying sanctuaries to criminal elements in
the areas.
According to him: “As we go into the business of this meeting, let us 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 for the devolution of powers and
resources to the states as well as the institutionalization 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
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.
The governor expressed delight that the governors have 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. He said the regions are better of united than
divided.
He pleaded with Nigerians to continue to strive for the unity of the
country.