Governors of the South-South geopolitical zone convened in Yenagoa, Bayelsa State, on Tuesday to address pressing economic and security challenges facing the region, Naija247news reports.
Thank you for reading this post, don't forget to subscribe!The meeting was attended by Governors Bassey Otu (Cross River), Sheriff Oborevwori (Delta), Siminalayi Fubara (Rivers), Umo Eno (Akwa Ibom), and host Governor Douye Diri (Bayelsa). However, Edo State Governor, Senator Monday Okpebholo, was absent and did not send a representative.
Speaking at the session, Governor Diri stressed the urgency of enhanced regional collaboration, citing key areas such as security, agriculture, education, power, tourism, and youth empowerment. He lamented the South-South’s paradox of oil wealth and underdevelopment, urging immediate action to reverse the region’s misfortunes.
“It is time to turn words into action and transform our shared aspirations into tangible results,” he declared, calling on his counterparts to leverage the BRACED Commission to drive economic development.
The governors discussed strategic initiatives, including a regional railway, improved air connectivity, and the long-overdue completion of the East-West Road to boost economic integration. Diri also raised concerns over security threats in Okuoma, Okoloba, and Igbomotoru, advocating for region-specific security strategies.
The Bayelsa governor further emphasized the need for stronger cooperation with federal agencies such as the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) to ensure that projects align with state priorities.
The meeting concluded with a renewed commitment to actionable policies that would drive sustainable development across the South-South states.
