South-South Govs Call For New Policy On Power, Oil And Gas Sectors

In order to empower states of the South-South Region to generate, transmit and distribute power to complement the federal government’s effort and also facilitate the utilisation of moribund capacity in the South-South region, governors of the region have called for a review of current policies and regulations on power and gas.

This was the view expressed in the communiqué issued at the end of the 2nd South-South Economic Summit by governors of the region under the umbrella of BRACED Commission, an acronym for Bayelsa, Rivers, Akwa Ibom, Cross River, Edo and Delta states.

This was one of the key decisions reached at the summit with the theme: “Integrating the South-South for Sustainable Development,” with special emphasis on Development, Investment and Security.

Its main objective was to showcase the rich investment potentials of the South-South region thereby attracting new investors as well as servicing external investments.

In the communiqué which was signed by Governors Dickson Seriake (Bayelsa), Rotimi Amaechi (Rivers), Godswill Akpabio (Akwa Ibom), Liyel Imoke (Cross River), Comrade Adams Oshiomhole (Edo), Emmanuel Uduaghan (Delta) and the Director-General of BRACED Commission, Ambassador Joe Keshi, the Governors said a review of the policies was a catalyst for economic development of the region, just as they accepted to develop a Niger Delta Energy Corridor, a project they said has the potentials for connecting the people, industry and natural resources and creating jobs.

The Governors also recommended the restructuring of the federation including the review of the current revenue allocation formula to give more powers, responsibilities and funding to the states and local governments as centres of growth.

According to the communiqué, the summit resolved to “strengthen 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.”

While saying that the security situation in the region has improved, the summit further suggested the adoption of a pro-active and inclusive approach “in the broad sense which will include public safety, food and job security and accordingly link investment to same and harness the untapped energies and creativity of the youth population through job creation.”

The Summit further resolved to make agricultural development initiatives as the region’s Priority Focal Area as well as to develop integrated transport facilities in the region, through a balanced development of rail, roads, waterways and airport facilities, and to partner with 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.

In the area of education, the summit supports the convening of a regional educational conference and recommended a holistic training approach for both teachers and students as well as the adoption of an ICT policy for the region.

In pursuit of policies in the areas of creative industry, entertainment, culture and tourism, the summit recommended the organisation of a Culture and Tourism Forum to draw up the sector’s road–map for economic development.

It also recommended the “immediate adoption of mitigation and adaptation measures in climate change, bio-diversity conservation, land use planning and infrastructure designs by BRACED States and key into investment opportunities.”

The summit also condemned the dastardly act of bombing of three newspaper houses in the northern part of the country while proceedings were on and condoled with the families of the victims of the bombing.

By Jethro Ibileke, Benin City