Stick to Demand for Restructuring, Ibori Tasks South-south Govs

Sylvester Idowu

Former Governor of Delta State, Chief James Ibori, yesterday tasked the governors of the South-south states to stick to their demand for restructuring of the country.

Ibori gave the advice at the inauguration of multi millions projects in some parts of Delta State by the Bayelsa State Governor, Sierake Dickson, who was the guest of the Delta State Governor, Ifeanyi Okowa.

The former governor who commended the efforts of Okowa’s administration to transform the state, urged the governors of the region not to back out of their demand for the restructuring of the Nigeria.

“Carry on with the battle for the restructuring of the country to the finishing line,” Ibori said.

“It is worthy to state that governors of the region, few weeks ago, at a meeting in Port Harcourt, Rivers State, stated that “everyone is aware of the ongoing clamour for devolution and a return to essential founding principle of this great country and we, in our meeting, resolved as we have been speaking over sometime that we associate fully with the clamour for restructuring, true federalism and devolution of powers that are so concentrated at the centre to the federating units.

“We have agreed to support ongoing moves in that direction by working with like-minded Nigerians who mean well for the country so that we can all have a stable, prosperous and peaceful country.

“While we are not against the withdrawal of $1 billion from the Excess Crude Account (ECA) by the federal government for national security, we believe that such should be done by adhering strictly to constitutional provisions of paying 13 per cent derivation,” the Southsouth governors said at the end of the meeting.

Speaking while inaugurating some projects scattered in two local government areas of the state, Chairman of South-south Governors’ Forum, Dickson, described Okowa as prudent manager of resources.

Dickson inaugurated road projects at Jesse, Ethiope West Local Government Area and the multi-billion naira Sapele Market in Sapele Local Government Area of the state. The market has 1, 532 shops, developed shoreline and four jetties.

According to him, “This is an international market, we are overwhelmed by the quality of projects you have executed, we have seen the wonderful roads you have constructed.

“These are special projects that will touch the lives of the people, improve their economy and the economy of Delta State.”

While paying glowing tribute to Okowa’s administration, he asserted that “Okowa came at the time of recession, and we have heard about what he is doing in the state, and today, we are witnesses, I wonder what Deltans will see in his second term.”

Okowa, at the event, thanked God for making the project inauguration exercise a reality, disclosing that the projects were initiated by Ibori’s administration.

“Every good project that was started by previous administration must be completed. We will not have uncompleted projects in the state,” the governor assured the people.