Rivers State, Sir Siminalayi Fubara, has urged South-south Governors to jettison their political differences and work in unity for the development of region.
Speaking at the meeting of South-South Governors’ Forum at the Government House, Yenagoa, Bayelsa State on Tuesday, January 28, 2025, the Rivers State governor urged his colleagues that they must demonstrate seriousness to enable the authorities take them serious in the zone.
The governor, who thanked his colleagues for a red-carpet reception they gave him in celebration of his 50th birthday, also advocated the expansion of the BRACED Commission to include other leaders in the zone to escalate the objectives of the commission.
He said it was sad that the East-West Road had remained in limbo despite the economic significance of the states in the zone, but attributed the slow pace of the project on lack of seriousness among them.
Gov. Fubara said: “On my part I want to see it this way, this is not the first time we are meeting . For me I have followed the cause of the meeting of the region in a forum that we tagged BRACED Commission (Bayelsa, Rivers, Akwa Ibom, Cross River, Edo and Delta).
“BRACED Commission is one of the bodies constituted at one time to support and work out the development of this region. But what I am saying today is not limiting this meeting to only BRACED Commission but to widen the scope where other leaders of the region should be part of the discussion on the development of the region. I think this is a direction that will help the region.
He subsequently appealed that for the region to succeed in its drive the leaders need to keep their political differences aside and understand that the struggle is for posterity and development of the region.
“It is really sad that Niger Delta that is the economic base of this country the construction of a road that you tagged East-West road could be an issue that we need to beg, protest, and complain, I don’t think it is proper.
“The authorities, it is not that they don’t understand that we need this road, but they are not taking the road seriously because we have not taken ourselves seriously,” and calls for premium value to be placed on the region considering her economic relevance.
Gov. Fubara tasked the new Chairman of the commission and Governor of Bayelsa State, Senator Douye Diri, to lead them in the process of taking strong decisions for the betterment of the region.
Referring to Diri as the oldest governor, Fubara said: “So, you will automatically lead us. I pray that God will give you all that is needed to pilot the affairs. It is not going to be an easy task, there will be issues because once this kind of meeting starts and strong resolutions start coming out there will be some comments.
In reading out the Communique of the meeting, the Chairman of the Forum, Gov. Douye Diri highlighted key resolutions to include the Forum’s plan to establish a robust structured regional security network aimed at enhancing safety and security of the region. According to him, such security network will be instrumental in fostering a stable environment conducive to economic growth and prosperity.
He stated the Forum’s position by declaring support for the President Tinubu’s tax reform bill, and asking the President to extend the proposed VAT sharing percentages to other areas of derivation such as oil and gas.
The Forum further subscribed to the ideals of unity, progress and collaboration among the States of the region, and charged them to expand their economic frontiers beyond the oil and gas.
Earlier, Gov. Fubara was treated to a birthday honour by the governors of the region that were present which include the host Gov. Douye Diri, (Bayelsa), Pastor Umo Bassey Eno (Akwa Ibom), Elder Sheriff Oborevwori, (Delta) and Gov. Bassey Otu (Cross River).
