From Joe Effiong, Uyo

South East and South South governors have urged the Federal Government to give more funds from revenue accruable from the Federation Account to the states in the two regions.

Rising from an end-of-the-year meeting in Uyo, Akwa Ibom State, yesterday, the governors expressed concern over the dwindling revenue accruable to states from the federation account, despite increase in prices and production capacity of oil.

They called on the federal government to ensure improved revenue allocation to the states, in line with the current realities, to enable member states meet the yearnings and expectations of their people.

Also, the governors called on the federal government to hand over all federal roads to states for proper maintenance.

In a communiqué signed by Governor Udom Emmanuel, who is the chairman of the Forum, the governors lamented that the abysmal state of road infrastructure in the South East and South South zones compelled them to suggest handing over of all federal roads to states where they are located and facilitate legislation that would ease concession of such roads.

They appealed for urgent intervention by the federal government on some critical infrastructure located in the zones such as the Port Harcourt International Airport, Margaret Ekpo International Airport, Calabar, Akanu Ibiam International Airport, Enugu and Sam Mbakwe International Airport, Owerri, as well as several other dilapidated roads in the two zones.

Worried by the shoddy approach to infrastructure development by some agencies of the federal government operating in the regions, the forum appealed to the federal government to impress upon the agencies, to liaise with the respective state governments, in the identification and execution of projects.

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According to the forum, such approach would ensure the projects embarked upon by intervention agencies are in line with the developmental agenda of the respective states.

They also reiterated the forum’s earlier decision to move in the same direction that would be beneficial to the political and economic interests of the two zones.

Earlier, Emmanuel said his colleagues have demonstrated the commitment and zeal to address myriad challenges that beset the two regions, which indicates that the formation of the forum was long overdue.

At the meeting were Rochas Okorocha of Imo, Nyesom Wike of Rivers, Seriake Dickson of Bayelsa, Ifeanyi Okowa of Delta, Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi of Enugu and Okezie Ikpeazu of Abia, while the deputy governors of Cross River State, Prof. Ivara Esu and that of Anambra State, Dr. Nkem Okeke, represented their principals.

noting that the approach will deepen understanding and encourage a collective search for lasting solutions.

Te governor enjoined members to see the sustenance of the cooperation as a legacy that they must institute and guard jealously.

He said while the Forum noted members’ collective resolve for an indivisible and indissoluble Nigeria as a cherished principle, it appealed to the federal government to demonstrate transparency in the area of allocation of resources to different parts of the country.

The Forum congratulated Willie Obiano on his successful re-election as Anambra State governor, noting that his success at the polls speaks eloquently of the trust the people of the state have in his ability to build a safe, united and prosperous state for them.