- Region backs FG’s tax reform, demands increased oil derivation
Governors of the South-South geo-political have unanimously chosen the Governor of Bayelsa State, Senator Douye Diri, as chairman of the South-South Governors Forum.
According to a statement issued on Tuesday by the Chief Press Secretary to the governor, Daniel Alabrah, Senator Diri was elected on Tuesday during the forum’s meeting in Government House, Yenagoa, the state capital.
Alabrah also said that Cross River Governor, Senator Bassey Otu, emerged as vice chairman of the forum.
He explained that the Governor of Delta State, Sheriff Oborevwori, moved the motion nominating Diri while his Rivers State counterpart, Siminalayi Fubara, seconded it.
Responding, Diri said his emergence as chairman was a call to higher service and promised to serve the forum and the region diligently.
He said it was not an office for him alone but a collective task for all governors of the South-South to move the region forward.
Diri stated that the forum would go beyond issuing communiqués to taking action on critical issues that affect the region’s development.
“Working together, we have all resolved that our region will not fail. We have seen other regions working while our region was quiet,” he said.
In his opening address, Diri said the objectives of the forum include “fostering greater synergy among our states, and advance regional investments in critical sectors such as security, agriculture, education, power, environment, tourism, and youth empowerment through sports, ICT and entrepreneurship.”
He said it had become imperative to speak with one voice in view of the swiftly changing landscape of the country and the world at large.
According to him, leveraging the strengths and resources of each member state, they could design and implement targeted initiatives that foster sustainable development and prosperity.
He identified the South-South regional flight connection as one area of collaboration to ease air travel within the zone.
In their remarks, Governors Umo Eno (Akwa Ibom), Bassey Otu (Cross River), Sheriff Oborevwori (Delta) and Siminalayi Fubara (Rivers) appreciated Diri for hosting the meeting and for setting the tone for states to have action plans and delivery timetable on issues agreed on.
They noted that the meeting was long overdue and that it was expedient for states in the region to work together to forge a buoyant economy outside of oil and gas.
They also stated that speaking in one voice would send the right signal that the region deserved the necessary attention from the government at the centre.
According to the governors, previous meetings, particularly under the auspices of the BRACED (Bayelsa, Rivers, Akwa Ibom, Cross River, Edo and Delta) Commission had not yielded the necessary results and prayed that the new direction under Diri would open a new vista for the region while urging forum members to put political affiliations aside to enable them achieve their objectives.
In a communiqué, the governors expressed support for the ongoing tax reforms of the President Bola Tinubu administration.
The communiqué, read by the Bayelsa governor, however urged the president to extend the proposed VAT sharing to other areas of derivation like oil and gas.
They argued that the law on oil derivation prescribed a minimum of 13 per cent and that the Federal Government should consider also increasing the amount on oil derivation to states of the region.
The forum also appreciated the president for the award and commencement of the coastal road project but demanded that it equally commence from the Calabar axis as it would not only enhance connectivity but also stimulate economic development in the region.
While thanking President Tinubu for the ongoing work on the East-West Road, the governors stressed that work should be expedited to ensure early completion.
Other areas the South South governors called for the intervention of the Federal Government included the extension of the ongoing remediation of Ogoni land to other polluted environments in the region.
The forum expressed its readiness to establish a robust and structured security network to enhance security of the region.
The Highlight of the meeting was the celebration of the birthday of the Rivers governor, Sim Fubara, who turned 50 on Tuesday.
However, Edo State Governor, Monday Okpebholo, was noticeably absent. The governor did not send his deputy, Dennis Idahosa, to represent him at the meeting that seeks to foster regional development and cooperation.
Edo deputy governor denies rift with Okpebholo
Meanwhile, the Edo State Deputy Governor, Dennis Idahosa, has urged citizens and residents of the state to disregard rumours of a rift between him and his principal, Monday Okpebholo.
While noting that the mischief makers were behind the rumour, Idahosa described it as unfounded, saying the relationship between him and Okpebholo remained most cordial, like an elder-younger brother relationship.
He stated this on Tuesday when he played host to executives and members of the Edo Parliament of Nigeria, at the Government House, Benin City.
This was contained in a statement by his Chief Press Secretary, Friday Aghedo.
According to Idahosa, the Senator Okpebholo-led administration was keen on delivering good governance and implementing laudable policies that would uplift the standard of living of Edo citizens and residents.
He stated, “First, let me dispel a rumour making the rounds that there is a rift between me and my principal, Governor Monday Okpehbolo. This is far from the truth.
“Mischief makers are behind the rumour, as the relationship between me and my principal remained most cordial, like an elder-younger brother relationship. I also appreciate my principal, having found me worthy to be his deputy.
“Let me also appreciate this parliament. I am also a member of this parliament. It is such a great honour to have the calibre of men, most especially from Ovia, to pay this courtesy visit. I am very much aware that you are doing so much to support this government.
“We will need your support and prayers, and we also know that the majority of you are professionals. When we need your contributions, ideas, and suggestions, please, be there for us.”
Idahosa urged Edo citizens and residents to stay vigilant and refused to allow themselves to be carried away by wrong information, but rather, to focus on ongoing developments by the current administration.
He added, “We will be committed to that, to foster more development and human capital development to our dear state.
“We are also committed to prioritising the interests of the Edo people. We would put the Edo people first, before our interests. So, be assured that this administration led by Senator Monday Okpebholo, is going to be the administration of the Edo people.”
In his earlier address, the President of the Edo Parliament of Nigeria, Ikponmwonsa Omorodion, who was represented by the Secretary General of the Parliament, Aimufua Festus, commended the developmental strides of the Okpebholo-led administration.
Omorodion also congratulated the deputy governor on the victory of the recently conducted elections in the state.
