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INC CONGRATULATE'S GOVERNOR DOUYE DIRI ON HIS EMERGENCE AS CHAIRMAN OF THE SOUTH-SOUTH GOVERNOR'S FORUM

 

Professor Benjamin Ogele Okaba, President of the Ijaw National Congress (INC) Worldwide and Chairman of the Conference of Presidents-General of Niger Delta Ethnic Nationalities (which includes Urhobo, Itsekiri, Ogoni, Ikwerre, Isoko, Ibibio, Efik, Ndokwa, etc.), has, on behalf of the Ijaw Nation and the entire Niger Delta region, extended warm congratulations to the Executive Governor of Bayelsa State, His Excellency, Senator Douye Diri, on his well-deserved emergence and elevation as Chairman of the South-South Governors’ Forum.

This development, announced following a meeting of the South-South Governors held at the Government House, Yenagoa, on January 28, 2025, underscores the confidence and trust reposed in Governor Diri by his counterparts. It comes as pleasant news to all Ijaw people and, indeed, the entire South-South region.

We also commend the Governor of Delta State, His Excellency, Sheriff Oborevwori, for moving the motion for Governor Diri’s nomination, and the Governor of Rivers State, His Excellency, Sir Siminalayi Fubara, for seconding the motion. As a people, we collectively anticipate an era of progress and unity in the South-South region under Senator Diri’s leadership.

The INC further commends the governors for their collective commitment to the development of the South-South region, as reflected in the communiqué issued after the meeting, which includes resolutions such as:

  1. Appeal for the Coastal Road Project: While commending President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for commencing the Coastal Road project, the INC aligns with the governors' call for work to begin from the Calabar axis. However, we urge that construction should commence simultaneously across all six South-South states through which the Coastal Road runs to ensure equitable development for the Ijaw people and other residents. We call on the governors to explore subventions from their Excess Crude Account accruals to facilitate this process.

  2. Completion of the East-West Road: The INC joins the governors in calling for the expedited completion of this critical infrastructure project.

  3. Environmental Remediation: The extension of ongoing remediation efforts in Ogoniland to other polluted areas in the region must be prioritized.

  4. Regional Security Network: We support the establishment of a South-South Regional Security Network to address rising security concerns.

  5. VAT Sharing Formula: The call for a review of the VAT sharing formula to reflect oil and gas derivations should be pursued through legislative action, including a South-South Governors’ jointly sponsored bill, if necessary.

Additional Developmental Priorities

Additionally, the INC urges the South-South Governors’ Forum to prioritize:

  • Sponsoring and advocating for bills to create Toru-Ebe State from Delta, Edo, and Ondo States and Oil Rivers State from Rivers and Akwa Ibom States.
  • Establishing a Regional Independent Power Project to ensure stable electricity across the region.
  • Developing a Regional Oil Refinery, Railway Network, Seaports, and Large-Scale Ocean Fishing and Farming Consortiums to boost economic diversification and job creation.

We fully align with these demands, which we have consistently echoed in our position papers on the state of the nation and the Niger Delta.

The Ijaw National Congress remains optimistic that, under Governor Diri’s leadership, the South-South Governors’ Forum will make significant strides toward achieving these developmental goals.

We reiterate our unwavering support for the new Chairman and the entire Forum, urging them to unite across party lines in addressing the challenges facing the South-South region.

The leadership of the Ijaw Nation and other South-South ethnic nationalities remain willing and determined to collaborate with the South-South Governors’ Forum to realize our collective vision for a more united, peaceful, progressive, and prosperous region—one richly endowed with natural resources and which has contributed immensely to the growth and development of Nigeria.

Signed:

Professor Benjamin Ogele Okaba
President, Ijaw National Congress Worldwide
January, 28, 2025

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