Diri emerges new chairman of South South govs’ forum

The Bayelsa State governor, Senator Douye Diri, has been elected as the new chairman of the South South Governors’ Forum. Diri succeeds the immediate past governor of Edo State, Godwin Obaseki. During their meeting held on Tuesday in Yenagoa, the Bayelsa State capital, the governors also elected the Cross River State governor, Bassey Otu, as […]

The Bayelsa State governor, Senator Douye Diri, has been elected as the new chairman of the South South Governors’ Forum.

Diri succeeds the immediate past governor of Edo State, Godwin Obaseki.

During their meeting held on Tuesday in Yenagoa, the Bayelsa State capital, the governors also elected the Cross River State governor, Bassey Otu, as the deputy chairman.

The meeting was attended by five governors from the region: Umo Eno (Akwa Ibom), Bassey Otu (Cross River), Sheriff Oborevwori (Delta), Siminalayi Fubara (Rivers), and the host, Governor Douye Diri (Bayelsa). However, Edo State governor, Monday Okpebholo, was absent.

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In his remarks before the meeting, Governor Diri emphasised the need for greater synergy among the South South states. He outlined the forum’s objectives, which include fostering regional investments in critical sectors such as security, agriculture, education, power, environment, tourism, and youth empowerment through sports, ICT, and entrepreneurship.

Governor Diri highlighted the South South’s strategic importance as Nigeria’s economic mainstay, particularly in oil and gas exploration. However, he lamented the region’s inadequate benefits despite bearing the adverse effects of resource exploitation.

He urged the governors to focus on the region’s untapped potential beyond oil and gas.

Governor Diri also emphasised the need to revitalise the BRACED Commission, which was established in 1999 as a think-tank for the collective development of the six South South states.

The meeting concluded with the governors pledging to work collectively to tackle the region’s challenges and drive sustainable development.

Meanwhile, governors from the South-South region have expressed their support for President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Tax Reform Bills and called for an extension of the proposed Value Added Tax (VAT) sharing percentages to include derivation from oil and gas resources.

In a communiqué read by the new chairman of the South-South Governors’ Forum, Governor Diri, the governors reaffirmed their backing of President Tinubu’s reform agenda while advocating for broader inclusivity in revenue allocation.