Owerri: The South-South and South-East Governors’ Forum have called on the Federal Government to take steps to increase revenues, accruing to the states from the Federation Account Allocation Committee, FAAC.
Addressing newsmen shortly after the meeting of the Governors in Owerri, the Imo State capital, Chairman of the forum and Akwa Ibom state Governor, Udom Emmanuel said the call has become imperative, following the increase in crude oil production and improvement in oil prices in recent times.
Gov. Emmanuel, disclosed that the Governors pointed out that the current peace and stability in the region has culminated in increased oil production from slightly above one million to two million barrels per day and should have reflected in higher revenues to states.
“The relative peace we are enjoying in Niger Delta region has contributed in no small measure to the increased and sustained oil production with the attendant benefits to the nation, but our revenue is yet to reflect the improved production and improvement in oil prices on the average.
I urge that we continue to do what is required to sustain this peace while hoping that our regions will also get to reap increased dividends in the form of greater attention being paid to the Infrastructural development and other needs of our regions” he said.
Gov. Emmanuel, who also said the forum raised concerns on the growing agitations for self-determination from some sections of the country, reaffirmed its stance on the indivisibility of the country.
Chairman of the South-South Governors’ Forum and Governor of Bayelsa State,Seriake Dickson attended the meeting, which also deliberated on the proposed constitutional amendment by the National Assembly, restructuring, equity, justice, security, infrastructural deficit, economic and political integration.
Earlier, the Imo State Governor, Rochas Okorocha stressed the need for the governors to work together, towards achieving peace and unity, in spite of political and individual differences to enable them contribute their quota for a better Nigeria.
He noted that the meeting was the first time in history that, the governors of the South-South and South-East would come together to discuss issues of unity and economic integration.
