Governors of states in the South South region of Nigeria, on Thursday, resolved to work for the speedy economic development of the zone.
Governor of Delta State, Rt. Hon. Sheriff Oborevwori was represented by his Deputy, Sir Monday Onyeme, FCA, at the meeting which took place at Government House, Benin City, Edo State.
The governors met under the aegis of Governors of BRACED Commission.
BRACED is an acronym for Bayelsa, Rivers, Akwa Ibom, Cross Rivers, Edo, and Delta, the six states that make up the South-South geopolitical zone.
Addressing journalists after the meeting, the Governor of Edo State, Mr Godwin Obaseki said that he has been elected as Chairman of the Commission.
He said, “We began the meeting with the election of myself, the Edo State Governor as the new Chairman of BRACED Commission Governors Council.
“I welcomed my colleagues to Benin City and I observed that the meeting was the first in the new dispensation; I congratulated the governors elected in March, 2023 and also the Governor of Bayelsa State, Senator Douye Diri, who was re-elected in November, 2023 for second term.
“This meeting is been had at a critical time as we face very serious and enormous challenges, it is against this background that the South South region must redefine its place and rules in the economical development of Nigeria and for the benefits of our people.
“The Director-General of our commission made a presentation to the BRACED commission, briefing us on the story so far since the commission came into inception and he informed us of the work done by the commission in the area of agriculture, education, environment, power and sports.
‘On the various contributions of members, the council members spoke on the compelling need to collectively accelerate the development of the states and affirm their support for the South South economic cooperation and integration as a practical step towards boosting economic development.
“Arising from these, we expressed out determination and commitment to drive the process for cooperation and integration in the zone; we pledged to address the challenges faced by the BRACED commission.
“Accordingly, council resolved as follows:
1) To foaster regional economic cooperation and integration with a view to achieving sustainable development through the development of a strong regional economy for the collective benefits of the people of the South South and reinvigorate the process of regional economic cooperation and integration.
2) To establish and inaugurate the BRACED business council. This council shall endeavour to forge a closer partnership with the Business Council and utilise it to provide and improve the business climate to attract investors and
businesses into the region.
3) To collectively engage the federal government on key infrastructures in the region, particularly roads, rail development and the decentralisation of rehabilitation of seaports in the region as well as the management of security in the country at large.
4) To enage the NDDC to ensure that its activities benefits the BRACED states.
5) To direct the Commissioners of Environment and Attorney-Generals of the states to meet and get intimate with climate issues affecting the states, particularly mangrove swamps.
6) To forge a closer and cordial relationship with other regions for the creation of economic corridor that will be immensely beneficial to all in the region.
7) We pledged our commitment to work with the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria to improve the standard of living of the people of the South South region of Nigeria.
“The governors are committed to work with and support each other for the purpose of improving the wellbeing and welfare of the people of the South South region.
“Finally, we directed the Director-General to take steps to implement all the decisions that we took today and report back to the council before its next meeting in March, 2024 in Bayelsa State.”
The meeting was attended by the Governors of Bayelsa, Rivers, Akwa-Ibom, Cross Rivers, Edo and that of Delta State.
