South-South governors unfold plan to set up regional security outfit

Chidi Samuel | South-South governors on Thursday said they have concluded plan to launch a regional security outfit that will secure the region.

The chairman of the South-South governors forum and Delta State governor, Ifeanyi Okowa, who made the disclosure in Asaba at the end of their meeting, said the move is necessary to address the security challenges facing the oil-rich states.

Okowa also said that he and his colleague in the region deliberated on the resuscitation of the Bayelsa, Rivers, Akwa-Ibom, Cross-Rivers, Edo and Delta (BRACED) Commission.

The Commission, the governors said, will harmonise policies that would drive the economic cooperation and integration and set member states on a path for rapid economic growth and development.

Similarly, the governors called on the Federal Government to deduct the thirteen per cent derivation from the source before allocation to states.

“And we need to stress that in any allocation that is being done, 13 per cent derivation must first be taken out of the funds that come from oil revenue before the rest of the funds is shared out,” Okowa said.

On the outbreak of the Coronavirus Disease (COVID-19), the governors called for a meeting of health commissioners in the region to map out preventive measures.