On Tuesday, January 28, 2024, the governors of the South-South region converged in Yenagoa, the Bayelsa State capital, for a crucial meeting to address the developmental challenges of the region.
Playing the role of the perfect host, Bayelsa State Governor, Senator Douye Diri welcomed his guests with open arms and showered them with the very unique Bayelsa hospitality.
The well-attended meeting had all the governors of the region present except the Edo State Governor, Senator Monday Ekpebholo.
After a motion moved by Delta State Governor, Rt. Hon. Sheriff Oborevwori, and seconded by Rivers State Governor, Siminalayi Fubara, nominating Diri, the Bayelsa State governor was unanimously elected as chairman of the Forum while Cross River Governor, Senator Bassey Otu, emerged as vice chairman of the forum.
Responding, Diri said his emergence as chairman was a call to higher service and promised to serve the forum and the region diligently, adding that it was not an office for him alone but a collective task for all governors of the South-South to move the region forward.
Diri equally stated that the forum would go beyond issuing communiques to taking action in critical issues that affect the region's development. His words: “Working together, we have all resolved that our region will not fail. We have seen other regions working while our region was quiet.”
Noting that it had become imperative to speak with one voice in view of the swiftly changing landscape of the country and the world at large, Senator Diri said the objectives of the forum include “fostering greater synergy among our states, and advance regional investments in critical sectors such as security, agriculture, education, power, environment, tourism, and youth empowerment through sports, ICT and entrepreneurship.”
He identified South-South regional flight connection as one area of collaboration to ease air travel within the zone. The forum also agreed that it was expedient for states in the region to work together to forge a buoyant economy outside of oil and gas.
The forum expressed its readiness to establish a robust and structured security network to enhance security of the region.
In a communique read at the close of the meeting by Governor Diri, the governors expressed support for the ongoing tax reforms of the President Bola Tinubu administration but urged the president to extend the proposed VAT sharing to other areas of derivation like oil and gas. They argued that since the law on oil derivation prescribed a minimum of 13 per cent and that the federal government should consider also increasing the amount on oil derivation to states of the region.
In addition, the forum demanded that work on the Lagos/Calabar coastal road should equally commence from the Calabar end as it would not only enhance connectivity but also stimulate economic development in the region. The governors equally demanded that work on the East/West road should be expedited to ensure early completion.
Another area the South-South governors called for the intervention of the federal government is the extension of the on-going remediation of Ogoni land to other polluted environments in the region.
Detailing the problems plaguing the Niger Delta region is one thing, successfully conveying their message to President Bola Tinubu and for him to positively respond to their demands is another matter entirely. One, for the South-South governors to be taken seriously, they must put aside their political differences and speak in one voice. A powerful delegation comprising the governors and leaders of thought like former Federal Information Commissioner and Ijaw leader, Chief Edwin K. Clark, the leadership of the Pan-Niger Delta Elders Forum (PANDEF) should visit the President, explaining the positive impact their requests will make, not only to the Niger Delta region but the country at large.
The governors should engage, and collaborate with Federal agencies like the Federal Ministry of Works and Housing to see how it could expedite action on the East West road and the Lagos/Calabar coastal road.
And finally, the governors should establish a clear follow-up plan to ensure consistent engagement with President Tinubu, monitoring progress and addressing any concerns that may arise.
If the governors are able to convince President Tinubu to accede to their requests, it will be a good deal for the Niger Delta region.
