PANDEF Seeks South-south Governors’ Collaboration on Security, Transportation

Sunday Aborisade in Abuja

South-south’s apex group, the Pan Niger Delta Forum (PANDEF), has advocated collaboration among the states to tackle issues of insecurity and poor transportation system in the oil-rich region.

PANDEF, being led by elder statesman, Chief Edwin Clark, made the appeal in a congratulatory message to Govenor Douye Diri of Bayelsa State and his counterpart in Cross River State, Bassey  Otu, on their election as  Chairman and vice Chairman of the South South Governors forum.

The group’s spokesperson, Olorogun Obiuwevbi Ominimini, in a statement in Abuja explained that the governors’ election was a clear demonstration of trust of leadership quality and commitment to duty reposed on them by their colleagues.

“The South South region is basically in need of a regional collaboration on  many aspects of development such as regional security architecture, transportation mechanism such as regional rail way system and regional marine transportation  among others.

“The emergence of the duo as the Chairman and Vice Chairman of the regional governors forum shall in no doubt bring succour to the aspiration to the people of the devasted Niger Delta region.

“In fact, the emergence of this current leadership of the South South Governors forum is completely  believed to be competent enough as tested political leaders who have both legislative and executive experiences to have the practical expertise of governance to bring solutions to the long age challenges confronting the region.

“Governor Douye Diri and Governor Bassey Otu are rare men in a rare time such as this. The South South Governors forum is responsible for the creation of the BRACED commission but has not been properly funded.

“It is now our strong belief that this new leadership shall make the difference as we trust the confidence repose on them by their colleagues in electing them as leaders of this power body,” part of the statement read.