Mkpoikana Udoma
Port Harcourt — Governors of the South-south geopolitical zone, under the auspices of BRACED Commission, says they will engage the federal government on the decentralization and rehabilitation of seaports in the region.
BRACED which stands for Bayelsa, Rivers, Akwa Ibom, Cross River, Edo and Delta States, said it will also examine the feasibility of a regional environmental law and environmental blue carbon partnership for the protection of the mangroves forest ecosystems in the region.
The governors, during a meeting hosted by the Chairman of Commission and Edo State Governor, Mr Godwin Obaseki, said there was an urgent need for a review of the Nigeria constitution such that more powers, resources and responsibilities are devolved to the states for faster economic growth and development, security and peaceful coexistence.
Obaseki, who read the communique issued at the end of the meeting, assured that the governors of the six South-South states were poised to reposition the Commission after a long period of inactivity, and promote regional socioeconomic development and integration that will be mutually beneficial to the states which they are determined to sustain.
“To collectively engage the federal government on the development of key infrastructure in the region, particularly roads, rail development (fast train from Lagos to Calabar), the decentralization and rehabilitation of the seaports in the region as well as the management of security in the country.
“To direct the Commissioners of Environment and Attorney-Generals of the States to meet and collectively examine the feasibility of a regional environmental law and environmental blue carbon partnership for the protection of the mangroves forest ecosystems of the South-South. And to work with the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria for the benefit of the region.
“To foster regional economic cooperation and integration with a view to achieving sustainable development through the creation of a strong regional economy for the collective benefit of the people of the South-South.
“Establish and inaugurate the BRACED Business Council in order to forge closer partnership with the Council to improve the business climate and attract investors and businesses into the region,” Obaseki said.
Earlier, Director General of the BRACED Commission, Amb. Joe Keshi said the Commission was created in 2011 to improve agriculture, education, environment, power, security and utilisation of sports to empower youths of the region.
