S-South, S-East govs call for location of oil, gas investments in the regions

GOVERNORS of the South-South/South East regions have called for location of investment in the oil and gas sector in the regions, saying that the Federal Government should discourage the granting of licences for them to be sited outside the areas.

A communique at the end of a meeting of the South South/South East Governors Forum, Sunday night, in Port Harcourt, Rivers State, urged the Federal Government to encourage investors in the oil and gas industry to operation from the regions.

The communique by Chairman of the forum and Governor of Akwa Ibom State, Mr Udom Emmanuel, also called on the Federal Government to step up efforts to effectively secure the areas, adding that it should connect the regions with railways.

According to the communique, “the emerging trend where approvals for investments in the oil and gas industry are granted for locating same in other parts of Nigeria with laying of pipelines in deep waters rather than locate the projects in the areas that produce the resources should be discouraged.

“We urge the Federal Government to encourage investors in the oil and gas industry to operate from  the regions and also make the investments in the sector in the regions.”

Reaffirming their commitment to a united Nigeria,  the governors also enjoined the Federal Government to unfold its policy on concession of federal roads, adding that it should speed up the issue.

They promised  collaboration between the two regions to strengthen development in the areas, adding that the Federal Government should impact more in the two regions.

Governors   in attendance were Mr. Udom Emmanuel (Akwa Ibom State), Mr Nyesom Wike  (Rivers State), Mr Ifeanyi Okowa(Delta State), Mr Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi (Enugu State), Mr Dave Umahi (Ebonyi State), Mr Rochas Okorocha (Imo State) and Mr Okezie Ikpeazu(Abia State).

Deputy governors who represented their governors were Rear Admiral Gboribiogha John Jonah, Acting Governor of Bayelsa State, Dr. Nkem Okeke, Deputy Governor of Anambra State, Philip Shaibu, Deputy Governor of Edo State and Prof. Ivara Esu, Deputy Governor of Cross River State.

 Vanguard News.