From Laide Raheem, Abeokuta
Governors from the southern part of Nigeria under the auspices of the Southern Governors’ Forum (SGF) have advocated that each state should be allowed to negotiate the new wage with the labour unions.
The governors observed that the cost of living and ability of each state to pay the new minimum wage should be given consideration, hence, the call for each to negotiate what it can pay according to its capacity.
This call was contained in a communique issued at the end of the SGF members’ meeting on Monday in Abeokuta, Ogun State.
In their 16-point communique, the Forum equally called for strengthening of fiscal federalism and devolution of powers and expressed concern over current practices where mineral licences are issued and explorations undertaken without recourse to the state governments.
According to them, issuing mineral licenses without carrying the states along have resulted in criminal activities, attendant negative environmental impact, ecological degradation and with no remediation commitment or revenue accruing to the states or the Federal Government.
The governors maintained that being the economic and industrial region of the country, there was a need to address the inadequate power supply in the region by taking advantage of the recent constitutional amendment that now allows states to regulate, generate, transmit, and distribute electricity, while also considering optional sources like renewables.
The southern governors said they had resolved to aggressively embark on energy transition plan from fossil fuels (petrol and diesel) to cleaner energy, and specifically the CNG (Compressed Natural Gas) and ultimately the EV’s (Electric Vehicles) to help reduce the cost of transportation, which would lower the cost of food, goods and services of the citizens and residents.
The meeting also called on the Federal Government to rehabilitate, repair, and reconstruct ‘Trunk A’ roads and transfer some roads to states that have expressed interest in taking them over, applauding President Tinubu for conceptualising and commencing the construction of the Lagos-Calabar Coastal Road, which cuts across eight states of the region.
The communique further hinted that the governors have resolved to commission a regional multimodal transport master plan that would prioritise connectivity of rail, road, air and water transportation, to facilitate interstate, and intra-regional movement of persons, goods and services, thereby enhancing the ease of doing business.
It further stated that Southern States Development Agenda (SSDA) would comprise a team whose primary responsibility is to outline a holistic plan to foster trade and investment, sustainable growth and development, economic prosperity, social harmony and food security for the region would be set up.
The development agenda, the governors added, would work hand in glove with individual State Investment Promotion and Facilitation Agencies, the Nigeria Investment Promotion Commission (NIPC) and other relevant MDAs and multilateral agencies as necessary.
On the issue of state police, the governors resolved to continue to advocate for the creation of state police against the backdrop of the success of the regional community based security outfits, which have been effective in intelligence gathering. The communique further stated that the governors resolved to remain united and committed to oneness of purpose, noting that the physical boundaries that divide the people of the south could not be compared to the strong bonds of enterprise, resilience and culture that they share.
They, however, resolved to be deliberate and intentional about intra region trade, partnerships and investment facilitation and promotion which was agreed would require a structured and coordinated collaborative approach.
The Forum commended Mr President Tinubu for the food palliative support to states and the laudable economic recovery reforms and policies through the implementation of the Renewed Hope agenda, pledging to support him in his unwavering resolve to reposition the country and build a greater future for all.
At the meeting which saw Governor Dapo Abiodun being elected as chairman of the Forum and his Anambra State counterpart, Professor Charles Chukwuma Soludo, as vice chairman, the governors agreed that quarterly meetings of the Forum would be held and rotated among member states.
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