The South-South geopolitical zone known as the “goose that laid the golden egg,” has again begun another exciting journey that would definately place her on the global map as a region that is reinventing itself for socioeconomic relevance and as number one investment zone in Nigeria and by extension West Africa.
The region governors irrespective of political divide are determined this time around to do whatever it takes to bring substantial infrastructure and socioeconomic development to the geopolitical zone so as to better the quality of life of their People.
This new zeal necessitated the ongoing strategic consultations amongst the Governors of the region with a view to reviving BRACED COMMISSION (Bayelsa, Rivers, Akwa Ibom, Cross River, Edo and Delta) to serve as the “engine room” for socioeconomic dialogues, planning and execution of the region’s infrastructure development, attract Foreign Direct Investments (FDI), pull financial resources together for star projects and huge investments that would transform the region into a major economic hub in the country.
This new reasoning by the governors that constitutes BRACED COMMISSON prompted a strategic closed door meeting held at the Government House Asaba where His Excellency the Executive Governor of Delta State, Senator Dr Ifeanyi Arthur Okowa hosted Gov Nyesom Wike of Rivers State and Gov Emmanuel Udom of Akwa Ibom State.
The meeting which made headlines in Newspapers and other news mediums was applauded by people of the South-South region that have been yearning for greater cooperation and integration amongst member states and the governors irrespective of political affiliations.
The people of the economically viable region are also very happy over the revival of the BRACED COMMISSION because of the economic gains; in the sense that harnessing the various resources of the region to spread development is one big benefit that would strengthen the unity and peace building process such that the flow of dividends of democracy to the people at the grassroots will stabilize the nation’s oil production and export which in turn guarantees steady foreign earnings for the federal government and the component states.
The BRACED COMMISSION initiative is very timely particularly at this time and age of national rebirth where the agitation for restructuring of Nigeria on the basis of regional autonomy has gained tremendous support and endorsements across the country; except for few dissenting voices in some part of the North as well as some few leaders within the ruling party, the All Progressives Congress (APC).
The beauty of democracy is that it is the rule of the majority and rights of the minority. It is hoped that at the end of the debate for regional autonomy which is currently going on across the country, the majority will have the day and we shall revert back to where we came from “regional government,” and each region shall harness its God given resources, develop at their pace and pay tax to a weak government at the centre.
It follows that more powers shall be devolved to the regions to further strengthen regional cooperation and integration making it possible for BRACED COMMISSION and similar socioeconomic agencies to be goals oriented and reach out to the international community for partnership in the area of investments, trade, science and technology, agriculture et al; without the interference of the other regions given the fact that each region must grow their economy and develop at their pace.
This is the way to go.Therefore it is reasonable and wise to appreciate the governors of the South-South region for their foresight and visionary leadership and for the practical steps taken so far to revive BRACED COMMISSION and reposition the region for greater cooperation and integration economically; with a view to providing the enabling environment for rapid overall development of the South-South geopolitical zone.
Gov Okowa did not hide his joy, so also was Gov Wike and Udom. The trio emphasized the need for economic growth and development of the region that is the major producer of the nation’s wealth through crude oil, gas and other petroleum products exports, et al.
The region’s BRACED COMMISSION as the engine room for growing the region’s economy and development must be able to factor into its policies and programmes the various priority areas and developmental agenda of member states particularly financing of star projects and other socioeconomic policies of its members so as to work out realistic phase by phase implementation strategies.
In all, the good people of the region stands to benefit in terms of economic growth, jobs and wealth creation, infrastructure and socioeconomic development, increased human capital development, enhanced peace and security, air transportation linking the BRACED states, et al.
Of a truth, BRACED COMMISSION is here to stay and South-South is on the right lane to greatness.
