● Tonye Okurumo

• As S’South Govs Meet, Host Him To 50th Birthday Celebration

Rivers State Governor, Sir Siminalayi Fubara, has called for a paradigm shift in the way Governors of Niger Delta States approach regional development and economic advancement. He urged his colleagues to de-emphasize personal political interests and focus on achieving a unified vision that fosters lasting integration and prosperity for the region.

Governor Fubara made this passionate appeal during the meeting of Governors of South-South States, under the auspices of the BRACED Commission, held at the Bayelsa State Government House in Yenagoa on Tuesday. His remarks were captured in a statement issued on January 28, 2025, by Nelson Chukwudi, Chief Press Secretary to the Rivers State Governor.

BRACED, an acronym for Bayelsa, Rivers, Akwa Ibom, Cross River, Edo, and Delta States, serves as a platform for the South-South Governors to chart a collaborative course for regional development. Governor Fubara used the forum to stress the urgency of setting aside divisive political interests for the collective good.

“I want to appeal that if we have to succeed in this drive, we need to keep our political differences aside and understand that the struggle, as at today, is for posterity, for the development of our region,” he said.

Expressing his frustration over the challenges faced by the region, the Governor lamented the difficulties in securing federal attention for critical infrastructure projects like the East-West Road. He remarked, “It is really sad that in the Niger Delta, which is the economic base of this country, the construction of a road tagged ‘East-West Road’ could be an issue, that we need to beg, protest, and complain to get it fixed. I don’t think it is proper.”

Governor Fubara noted that while the federal authorities are aware of the region’s needs, the lack of unity among Niger Delta leaders diminishes the seriousness of their demands. He emphasized the need for the people of the region to value themselves and present a united front.

He stated, “The moment Niger Delta people stop playing to the gallery and place value on themselves, outsiders will have no option than to accord the region and its people due regard.”

Reflecting on the origins of the BRACED Commission, Governor Fubara emphasized the need to expand the scope of the platform to include other regional stakeholders. “This is not the first time we are meeting. For me, I followed the course of the region meeting in a forum that we tagged ‘BRACED Commission.’ But what I am seeing today is just limiting this meeting to only BRACED Commission,” he said.

He added, “We need to widen the scope where other leaders of the region should be part of the discussion of the development of the region, and I think this is the direction that will help the region.”

In his remarks, the Chairman of the Forum of Governors of South-South States and Governor of Bayelsa State, Senator Douye Diri, presented the meeting’s communique. He revealed the Forum’s support for the Federal Government’s Tax Reform Bills and their request for President Bola Tinubu to adjust Value Added Tax (VAT) sharing percentages to reflect oil and gas derivation.

Governor Diri also appealed to the Federal Government to extend environmental remediation efforts currently ongoing in Ogoni land to other impacted communities across the region. Additionally, he announced the Forum’s decision to establish a structured regional security network to enhance safety, foster stability, and create an environment conducive to economic growth in the Niger Delta.

A significant highlight of the event was the surprise 50th birthday celebration organized by the South-South Governors to honor Governor Fubara. The gathering featured heartfelt tributes and camaraderie, underscoring the spirit of unity among the regional leaders.

The meeting and celebration reaffirmed the Governors’ commitment to fostering regional development and left attendees optimistic about the future of the Niger Delta. GMTNewsng