Nigeria South-South govevernors says 'Restructure, unbundle Nigeria'

Governors of the six South-South states, at the weekend, called for an urgent restructuring and unbundling of the Federation. They also want the review of the revenue allocation formula to give more powers, responsibilities and funding to the states and local governments as centres of growth.
The governors: Hon Henry Seriake Dickson (Bayelsa); Rt Hon Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi (Rivers), Obong Godswill Akapbio (Akwa Ibom); Senator Liyel Imoke (Cross River); Comrade Adams Oshimohole (Edo); and Dr. Emmanuel Uduaghan (Delta), made the call in a 13-point communiqué issued at the end of the two-day 2nd South-South Economic Summit,  held in Asaba, Delta State capital.
They recommended the strengthening of “the nascent governance structure in the region to incorporate private sector and other non-state actors with a view to creating favourable policy, legal and regulatory environment that will stimulate greater private sector participation in the development initiatives of the region”.

The governors called also called for “a review of the current policies and regulations on power and gas to enable the States generate, transmit and distribute power to complement the efforts of the Federal Government and facilitate the utilization of moribund capacity in the region”, adding, “ This will promote and accelerate economic development in the South – South Region”.
In pursuit of this, the communiqué stated, “The Summit accepted the development of a Niger Delta Energy Corridor, a project with potentials for connecting the people, industry and natural resources and creating jobs”.
Other resolutions include: “To accelerate the implementation of agricultural development initiatives as the region’s priority focal area”.  They pointed out: This will complement the Federal Government Transformation Agenda on agriculture; develop integrated transport facilities in the Region, through a balanced development of rail, roads, waterways and airport facilities; and partner the Federal Government and the Private Sector in the development of the Lagos – Calabar Railway Lines Project and press for the urgent completion of the East – West Highway”.
Also, the governors resolved “to ensure quality education in the Region and the adoption of ICT and collateral equipments for all levels of education (primary, secondary and tertiary). A renewed impetus in the areas of curriculum development, teachers’ preparation, re-certification (in-service and professional education) and holistic training approach was recommended”.
They would also support the conveying of Regional Education Conference;  encourage research and development and use of technology to promote the desired accelerated development of the Region;  adopt and implement policies that will release vast potentials of service economy of the Region in the areas of creative industry, entertainment, culture and tourism. In pursuit of this a follow-up Culture and Tourism Forum should be organised to draw up the Sector’s Road – Map for economic development.
The governors  also agreed to “ adopt pro-active and inclusive approach to security in the broad sense,  which will include public safety, food job security and accordingly link investment to same and harness the untapped energies and creativity of the youth population through job creation”.
On environment, they resolved to immediately adopt mitigation and adaptation measures in climate change, bio-diversity conservation, land – use planning and infrastructural designs by BRACED States and key into investment opportunities opened, while the public will be  revitalises  as a key development driver.
According to the communiqué, which was also signed by the Director General of BRACED Commission, the agency, implementing the integration development programmes for the South-South states, Ambassdor Joe Keshi, “The The main objective of the Summit was to show-case the rich investment potentials of the South – South Region of the country, thereby attracting new investors as well as servicing external investment”.
“The second South – South Economic Summit, organised on the broad theme “Integrating the South – South for Sustainable Development” (with special emphasis on Development, Investment and Security) was held at the Convention Centre, Asaba, Delta State under the auspices of the BRACED States – Bayelsa, Rivers, Akwa Ibom, Cross River, Edo and Delta.
“The Summit was graced by the presence of His Excellency, Dr. Goodluck Ebele Jonathan, GCFR, President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (represented by Vice President Namadi Sambo, GCON), His Excellency Paul Kagame, President of the Republic of Rwanda (represented by Mr. John Gara) and many other distinguished personalities and functionaries, notably Nobel Laureate, Prof. Wole Soyinka and other Summit Speakers and Participants.
The Summit acknowledged the active participation of the private sector and key Federal Ministries and noted the progress made since the maiden edition was held in Calabar on April, 22 – 25, 2009. This include the signing of the BRACED Agreement on June 13, 2011 which provides the legal framework for the co-operation of the BRACED States; the establishment of the BRACED Commission, the appointment of the pioneer Director General of the BRACED Commission and the adoption of the common Priority Focal Areas of development (Agriculture, Environment, Infrastructure Development, Human Capacity Development and Industrialization) by the BRACED Commission Governors’ Council.
“The Summit reaffirmed the imperative of regional co-operation as a practical path towards national development and welcomes the emergence of other Regional Development Commissions with expression of readiness for co-operation with them by BRACED Commission.
“The Summit recognised that there has been tremendous improvement on the security situation in the region and further the South – South as a region of peace, stability and immense investment opportunities and called upon its development partners to support the region. It called for continued pro-active approach in managing security in the region.
“It was noted that while the proceeding was ongoing, the facilities of three Newspaper Houses in Abuja and Kaduna were bombed. The Summit condemned the dastardly act and condoled with the families of the victims of the bombing”, the governors further asserted in the communique”.
The Summit charged BRACED Commission to boldly provide developmental leadership for Nigeria as this is consistent with the historical antecedents of the South – South region and its resourcefulness.
The Summit directed the BRACED Commission to translate the recommendations into a measurable and achievable Plan of Action and engage the appropriate stakeholders on Post – Summit issues as elaborated in the Summit’s presentations and dialogues. The Summit expressed appreciation to the six governors of the BRACED States – Bayelsa, Rivers, Akwa Ibom, Cross River, Edo and Delta – and urged them to continue to show exemplary leadership and commitment to good governance.
It also commended the people and government of Delta State for hosting the grand event. The Summit appreciated the planners, paper presenters and participants and endorsed the annual event as a veritable platform of interaction, information and knowledge sharing which should be sustained.