South-east/South-south Governors Deplore State of Federal Roads, Urge IOCs to Operate from Region
helping with the repatriation of proceeds of crime and proceeds of corruption,” he was quoted as saying.
He added that Osinbajo was appreciative of the support of the US to the Nigerian government which he said viewed “corruption as an existential threat” that must be dealt with from its root.
“We have worked quite closely with the US government on the repatriation of funds. We have seen some results.
“We think that this is very important because what tends to happen with corrupt public officials is that if they are able to find a safe haven for the proceeds of their criminality, not only are they encouraged as individuals but there is the general feeling that if they are able to get the proceeds out of the country, they might just get away with it.
“This is one of the reasons why we have taken several actions to ensure that we are able to deal with it because some of the major dislocations in the economy are on account of the problems that we have seen with corruption.
“The most effective ways of fighting corruption is ensuring that these proceeds are unsafe and for people to know that they would be found out and they would be punished for it and we would seize whatever profit they had gained,” Osinbajo was quoted as saying.
The statement further said Senator Christopher Coons who led the delegation, disclosed that the visit was meant to affirm the relationship between Nigeria and the US, noting that his country has “an enduring enthusiasm and partnership with Nigeria”.
He listed other members of the delegation to include Senators Gary Peters, Jeff Merkley, Michael Bennet, and members of the House of Representatives – Lisa Blunt Rochester, Terri Sewell, Charlie Dent, Barbara Lee and Frederica Wilson. The congressional delegation was accompanied by the US Ambassador to Nigeria, Stuart Symington.
Nigerian officials in attendance, according to the statement, were the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Mr. Geoffery Onyeama, Minister of Agriculture, Chief Audu Ogbeh, National Security Adviser, Maj. Gen. Babgana Monguno (rtd.), and the Chief of Air Staff, Air Marshal Sadique Abubakar. Ernest Chinwo Governors of the South-south and South-east geo-political zones have expressed concern over the poor state of federal roads in the region and called on the federal government to come out with a clear policy on concession of the roads to ease the sufferings of the people.
They have also 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.
In a communique at the end of the second meeting of the South-East/South-South Governors’ Forum at the Government House, Port Harcourt on Sunday night, the governors agreed to promote the unity of the country.
The communique signed by the interim chairman of the Forum, Udom Emmanuel of Akwa Ibom on behalf of the governors stated that the forum resolved: “To pursue inter-regional cooperation and integration for the common good of the regions’ people.
“To work together politically, align and re-align as a people that share common heritage, culture and affinity. To articulate and advocate for issues affecting the wellbeing of the regions. The issues may not necessarily materialise immediately, but for the benefits of future generations.”
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 to fast-track 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 however regretted that: “The deplorable state of federal roads in the two regions. That none of the airports and seaports located in our 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 the Governor of Akwa Ibom State, Mr. Udom Emmanuel, was attended by seven governors and four deputy governors. The governors present at the meeting were Nyesom Wike of Rivers State, Ifeanyi Okowa of Delta State, Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi of Enugu State, Dave Umahi of Ebonyi State, Rochas Okorocha of Imo State and Okezie Ikpeazu of Abia State. Deputy governors who represented their governors were Rear Admiral Gboribiogha John Jonah (rtd), Acting Governor of Bayelsa; Dr. Nkem Okeke of Anambra, Philip Shaibu of Edo State and Prof. Ivara Esu of Cross River State.
The communique said the forum would reconvene in Owerri, Imo State on Sunday, October 8.