Federal presence in our region minimal – S-East, S-South govs
Governors of the SouthSouth and South East states yesterday said federal presence in the regions is very minimal and only noticeable in the presence of policemen.
They regretted the deplorable state of federal roads in the two regions, adding that none of the airports and seaports located in the regions is reasonably functional, and that neither of the two regions are linked by any rail services.
The governors made their position known through a communiqué at the end of their second meeting at the Government House, Port Harcourt Sunday night.
While agreeing to promote the unity of the country, the governors urged the Federal Government to encourage investors in the oil and gas industry to operate from within the regions and also make regional investments in the sector.
The communiqué was signed by the interim chairman of the forum, Governor Udom Emmanuel of Akwa Ibom on behalf of the governors.
The governors also resolved: “To continue to subscribe our faith to the destiny and greatness of Nigeria and call upon Nigerians to put their hands on the plough and rise to claim our rightful place in the Comity of Nations.
“To condemn hate speech in national discourse whether in individual communication, or utterances of political actors or parties; to urge security agencies to set up joint border patrols and develop more proactive strategies in combating crime and criminality.
“To urge the Federal Government to come up with a clear policy on concession of federal roads and fasttrack the process in order to ameliorate the sufferings of the people of the regions.”
They further resolved to pursue inter-regional cooperation and integration for the common good of the regions’ people.
The forum regretted the deplorable state of federal roads in the two regions, adding that none of the airports and seaports located in the regions is reasonably functional, and that neither of the two regions are linked by any rail services. That the federal presence in the regions is very minimal and only noticeable in the presence of policemen.”
The meeting, which was chaired by Mr. Udom Emmanuel, Governor of Akwa Ibom State, had in attendance Governors Nyesom Ezenwo Wike (Rivers), Ifeanyi Okowa (Delta), Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi (Enugu), Dave Umahi (Ebonyi), Rochas Okorocha (Imo) and Okezie Ikpeazu (Abia).
Deputy governors, who represented their governors, were Rear Admiral Gboribiogha John Jonah, Acting Governor of Bayelsa, Dr. Nkem Okeke, Deputy Governor of Anambra, Philip Shaibu, Deputy Governor of Edo State and Prof. Ivara Esu, Deputy Governor of Cross River State.