OWERRI – The South-South and South-East Governors’ Forum has called on the Federal Government to take steps to increase revenues, accruing to the states from the Federation Account Allocation Committee, FAAC.
Addressing newsmen shortly after the meeting of the Governors in Owerri, the Imo State capital, Chairman of the forum and Akwa Ibom state Governor, Udom Emmanuel said the call has become imperative, following the increase in crude oil production and improvement in oil prices in recent times.
According to Governor Emmanuel, the Governors noted that, in view of the prevailing peace and stability in the Niger Delta region, oil production has risen to two million barrels per day which should ordinarily reflect in higher revenues to states.
His words: “The relative peace we are enjoying in our Niger Delta region has contributed in no small measure to the increased and sustained oil production with the attendant benefits to the nation, but our revenue is yet to reflect the improved production and improvement in oil prices on the average. I urge that we continue to do what is required to sustain this peace while hoping that our regions will also get to reap increased dividends in the form of greater attention being paid to the Infrastructural development and other needs of our regions.”
Governor Emmanuel, who also said the forum raised concerns on the growing agitations for self-determination from some sections of the country, reaffirmed its stance on the indivisibility of the country. He also
Chairman of the South-South Governors’ Forum and Governor of Bayelsa State, Honorary Seriake Dickson attended the meeting, which also deliberated on the proposed constitutional amendment by the National Assembly, restructuring, equity, justice, security, infrastructural deficit, economic and political integration.
Earlier in his opening remarks, the host Governor, Rochas Okorocha had said, it was the first time in history that, the governors of the South-South and South-East would come together to discuss issues of unity and economic integration.
Governor Okorocha stressed the need for the governors to work together, towards achieving peace and unity, in spite of political and individual differences to enable them contribute their quota for a better Nigeria.
Also in attendance were governors of Rivers, Delta, Cross River, Abia, Enugu and the Deputy Governor of Anambra State.
The meeting was preceded by a special church service at the Government House chapel with governors of the various states taking turns in delivering bible lessons, as well as praise and worship.
Governor seized the opportunity to invite South South and South East Governors to this year’s Bayelsa Thanksgiving Day, which he said, will among other things, feature the commissioning of the 10, 000 capacity Ecumenical Centre in Yenagoa.
