South-south, South-east Governors Ask FG to Increase Allocations to Their States

  • Want federal roads relinquished

Tobi Soniyi in Lagos

State Governors in the South-south and South-east geo-political zones have called on the federal government to increase allocations to states in the two zones.

A statement by the Akwa Ibom State Commissioner for Information, Mr. Charles Udoh, said this was one of decisions reached by the governors at the end of the year meeting presided over by Akwa Ibom State Governor, Mr. Udom Emmanuel, held at the Government House, Uyo.

A communiqué issued at the end of the meeting said improved revenue allocation to states in the zone should reflect the current realities in the prices of crude oil in the international market so as to make the states viable and respond to the expectations of the people.

The governors expressed concern at the deplorable state of roads in the two zones and asked the federal government to give the areas more attention in infrastructural development.

They consequently made a case for the federal government to relinquish all federal roads to states where such roads are located and facilitate concession of the road with adequate legislation.

In the interim, the governors appealed to the federal government to take steps towards ameliorating the suffering of the people through intervention in the refurbishment of critical infrastructure located in the zones. They listed such amenities to include the Port Harcourt International Airport; Margret Ekpo International Airport, Calabar; Akanu Ibiam International Airport, Enugu; Sam Mbakwe International Airport, Owerri as well as dilapidated roads in the zones.

The governors reiterated their earlier resolution to continue to advance issues that would be politically and economically beneficial to the two zones.

They regretted the shoddy approach to development of infrastructure undertaken by intervention agencies operating in the region requested the federal government to appeal to the agencies to liaise with the respective states government for identification and execution of projects.

The meeting had in attendance Rochas Okorocha of Imo State, Nyesom Wike of Rivers State, Seriake Dickson of Bayelsa State, Ifeanyi Okowa of Delta State, Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi of Enugu State and Okezie Ikpeazu of Abia State. Professor Ivara Esu and Dr Nkem Okeke deputy governors of Cross River and Anambra States respectively represented their governors.

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