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Govs Decry State Of S’South, S’East Federal Roads
The Governors of the 11 States that make up the South-East and South-South geo-political zones of the country have decried the deplorable state of federal roads in the two geo-political zones.
The governors also regretted that none of the airports and seaports in the two geopolitical zones was functioning reasonably while none of the states in the two zones is linked in the country’s rail services.
The governors, in a communiqué issued in the early hours of last Sunday after the second meeting of the South-East/South-South Governors’ Forum at Government House, Port Harcourt, said the only federal presence in the two geo-political zones was the presence of policemen.
The communique, which was read by the Chairman of the forum and Akwa Ibom State Governor, Mr. Udom Emmanuel, condemned emerging trend where approvals for investments in the oil and gas industry were granted for siting in other parts of Nigeria and with laying of pipelines in deep waters rather than siting the projects in the areas that produce the resources.
The forum expressed concern that despite providing the necessary logistic support to the security agencies, perceptions of insecurity are on the rise, thereby doing significant damage to investments climate and preventing reasonable inflow of direct foreign and local investment into the regions.
The communique reads in part, “Concerned about the reality of the dearth of infrastructure, the forum noted with dismay: the deplorable state of federal roads in the two regions. That none of the airports and seaports located in our regions is reasonably functional, and that neither of the two regions are linked by any rail services.
“That the federal presence in the regions is very minimal and only noticeable in the presence of policemen. The emerging trend where approvals for investments in the oil and gas industry are granted for siting in other parts of Nigeria with laying of pipelines in deep waters rather than siting the projects in the areas that produce the resources.
The forum resolved: “to pursue inter-regional cooperation and integration for the common good of the regions’ people, and to work together politically, align and re-align as a people that share common heritage, culture and affinity”.
It also agreed “to articulate and advocate issues affecting the wellbeing of the regions. The issues may not necessarily materialize immediately, but for the benefits of future generations.
The forum further resolved “to continue to subscribe our faith to the destiny and greatness of Nigeria, and call upon Nigerians to put their hands on the plough and rise to claim our rightful place in the comity of nations.”
It specifically “condemned hate speech in national discourse whether in individual communication or utterances of political actors or parties”, and “urged security agencies to set up joint border patrols and develop more proactive strategies in combating crime and criminality.
The governors also resolved “to urge the Federal Government to come up with a clear policy on concession of federal roads and to fast-track the process in order to ameliorate the sufferings of the people of the regions.”
Meanwhile, the Rivers State Governor, Chief Nyesom Wike has decried the decay and backwardness of infrastructure in the South-South and South-East part of the country.
Speaking when he played host to governors from the two geo-political zones in Government House, Port Harcourt, last Sunday, the Rivers State governor pointed out that the two zones were the most politically and economically marginalized within the nation.
The governor noted that none of the airports and seaports located in the regions were reasonably functional, while the few federal roads were not in good shape, neither were the two zones linked by any rail services.
He maintained that, “They have been environmentally degraded and deliberately neglected by the Federal Government in appointments and provisions of basic development infrastructures.”
Wike reasoned that even in contemporary Nigeria, the two regions share the same or similar challenges, including insecurity, poverty and under-development despite the best of efforts by the constituent state governments.
Since the people of the two geo-political zones have shared common heritage and affinity, Wike called for strategic economic plan and need to establish and link cities in the two zones with railways and superhighways; to provide viable and affordable flight services between our cities, and to ensure that cargoes are brought into the country and the regions through our seaports, jetties and ferry services as a veritable means of stimulating economic growth and social progress across our two regions.
“Also, we are all aware that economic growth and social progress are possible only in a peaceful and secure environment. And much as we try to tackle this menace in our respective states by providing the necessary logistic support to the security agencies, perceptions of insecurity are on the rise, doing significant damage to our investment climate thereby preventing reasonable inflow of direct foreign and local investment into the zones”, he said.
He maintained that the two regions must strive to overcome challenges through regional efforts by sharing resources, intelligence and denying sanctuaries to criminal elements in the areas.
According to him: “As we go into the business of this meeting, let us be confident in the rightness of our course and clear in our considerations that we have been and would continue to be worse off without the will to exploit our political and economic complementarities to drive our ways into political, economic and social prosperity.
“Above all, we must continue to demand for the devolution of powers and resources to the states as well as the institutionalization of state police, now that there is national consensus on these issues,” Wike maintained.
Similarly, Chairman of the South-South and South-East Governors Forum, Chief Udom Emmanuel has said that both zones plan to adopt a Public Private Partnership (PPP) model for infrastructural revamp of the area.
Emmanuel, who is the governor of Akwa Ibom State, shortly after the meeting, informed news men that PPP was one way to augment whatever the Federal Government was doing in both the South-South and South-East in terms of infrastructure.
He reiterated the position of the governors to the unity of the country, “Nigeria is a country we have passion for.”
Emmanuel also said the governors resolve to give the issue of security of lives and property top priority, and that, “we will collaborate with other regions on some of the issues of inter-cooperation.”
Earlier, the Akwa Ibom State governor had urged his counterparts from the two zones to form a common front for socio-economic development.
He described the meeting as a new beginning for the two geo-political zones for the good of her people.
The governor expressed delight that the governors have set aside impediments to chart a new direction, and charged the two zones to work together for prosperity.
He said: “Federal presence in the zone is minimal and only seen in the presence of policemen”.
Emmanuel sought for the development of an industrial framework that will enhance development.
He said the regions are better of united than divided, as he pleaded with Nigerians to continue to strive for the unity of the country.
Nobel Laureate, Professor Wole Soyinka, has called on Nigerians to reject silence in the face of extrajudicial killings and other abuses of human rights.
Soyinka stressed that accountability and civic courage remain essential to rebuilding public confidence in the nation’s institutions.
He made the call during the 28th Wole Soyinka Lecture held in Port Harcourt, last Friday as part of activities marking his 92nd birthday.
The lecture, themed “Reclaiming the Nigerian State through Accountability, Justice and Civic Courage,” drew participants from different sectors of society.
The renowned playwright and human rights advocate said the country’s greatest tragedy was not only the unlawful killings carried out by state and non-state actors, but also the silence that often follows such incidents, allowing perpetrators to evade justice.
According to him, indifference by citizens to abuses of power and violations of fundamental human rights has contributed to the persistence of extrajudicial killings and other forms of injustice across the country.
Soyinka said he dedicated this year’s lecture to victims of unlawful killings, noting that the event was intended to honour individuals who had lost their lives as a result of failures within the justice system and society’s inability to protect the sanctity of human life.
He stressed that the lecture was dedicated to what he described as the basic unit of every society – the human being, and urged Nigerians to place greater value on human dignity irrespective of ethnicity, religion or social status.
The Nobel Laureate recalled several incidents of violence, including the fatal shooting and killing of a young man in Ugheli in Delta State by a police officer, and the mob killing of Deborah Yakubu in Sokoto State sometime ago, lamenting that many of those responsible are yet to face justice.
He expressed concern that some perpetrators of violent crimes had openly admitted their actions without fear of prosecution, describing such situations as evidence of serious failures within the nation’s justice system.
Soyinka maintained that when justice is delayed or denied, public confidence in state institutions continues to erode, thereby encouraging further violations of human rights.
Responding to critics who accuse him of promoting religious or ethnic divisions whenever he spoke on such issues, Soyinka dismissed the allegations and pointed out that his advocacy has always centred on the protection of human life and the rule of law.
He urged Nigerians to remain vigilant and continue demanding justice in cases of alleged extrajudicial killings, including the recent shooting of a young man by a police officer, stressing that every life deserves equal protection under the law.
The literary icon also recalled an earlier pledge by a past incoming president to make public the files relating to unresolved assassinations and extrajudicial killings, questioning the status of the promised investigations.
He challenged citizens to continue asking questions about unresolved cases, insisting that justice, accountability and respect for human dignity are indispensable to building a peaceful, democratic and inclusive Nigerian society.
The Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) has clarified that there was no fire at Terminal 2 of the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Lagos, contrary to its earlier advisory.
Earlier yesterday, FAAN had announced that a fire incident had occurred at Terminal 2 of the nation’s busiest airport, and assured that its Aerodrome Rescue and Firefighting Service had been deployed to contain the situation.
There were also reports that activities were briefly disrupted at the airport yesterday after smoke was seen inside parts of the terminal.
Videos circulating online showed passengers kept standing outside the terminal while firefighters responded to the incident.
However, in an update issued less than two hours later by the Director of Public Affairs and Consumer Protection, Henry Agbebire, and posted on FAAN’s official X handle, the authority said preliminary findings showed that the smoke seen at the terminal was caused by the discharge of the facility’s FM-200 fire suppression system.
“Further to our earlier advisory regarding the incident at Terminal 2 of the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Lagos, the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) wishes to provide the following update,” the statement read.
“Preliminary findings indicate that there was no fire at the terminal. The smoke observed within the affected area resulted from the discharge of the terminal’s FM-200 fire suppression system. The reason for the activation of the fire suppression system is currently being investigated,” FAAN stated.
The authority said normal operations had resumed at the terminal while investigations were ongoing to determine the cause of the incident.
“Normal operations have since resumed at the terminal, while detailed investigations are ongoing to determine the exact cause of the incident,” the statement added.
The authority thanked passengers, airlines, airport users and other stakeholders for their understanding and cooperation.
FAAN appreciated the understanding and cooperation of passengers, airlines, airport users and all stakeholders, and reiterated its commitment to the safety and security of all airport operations.