Group Task S'south Governors On Development

Group Task S'south Governors On Grassroots Development

GOVERNORS of the six states of the South-South zone, were yesterday challenged by a civil society group to give greater attention to rural development in a frantic bid to tame the worrisome rural-urban migration.

The group, Grassroots Initiative for Peace and Democracy (GIPD), however, claimed that a study carried out by them showed that Governor Liyel Imoke of Cross River State was already ahead of his peers in the geo-political zone.

''After a critical observation of the relationship between the Government of Cross River State and its grassroots populace as our mandate demands, it was observed that, the Governor Imoke's administration is rooted in the grassroots'', the group said.

An executive summary of the report that was written by Akinaka Richard, and John Abank, executive director and public affairs secretary respectively of the group claimed that Imoke has performed above average within this short period and has won the allegiance and support of his people including those of the opposition.

''Based on our findings and analysis, we commend Imoke for his strides in human empowerment through the state's social safety net programme, which identifies those living below $1.5 per day and give them direct loans as capital to develop themselves. This is the essence of good governance.

''While we also wish to commend the Cross Rivergovernor on the areas of massive construction of rural roads, public schools, peace, environmental protection and cleanliness, and the consolidation of the most celebrated cultural festival in Africa, we will like to appeal for greater attention on the youths through appointments, political engagements and other means of empowerment'', they said.

Continuing, they added, ''this is because, youths are the most vulnerable contents of the society and any form of restiveness would lead to crimes and other vices as currently the case in the oil and gas region''.

The group equally called on the authorities in Calabar, the Cross River capital, to urgently mobilize resources within their capacity to ensure that Tinapa is opened for normal business ''as this will not only provide job opportunities for the unemployed but also boost the economies of the South -South states, as Lagos is to the South -West''

GIPD said they want Imoke to use his good offices as the chairman of the South-South Governors Forum, to liaise with his colleagues to advocate for a peaceful resolution of the conflict in the Niger Delta, ''as against the present military option which has only worsen the situation than solve it''.

According to them, ''the insurgents did not create themselves. They are products of repressive regimes and unethical political practices. They are Nigerians like any other citizen and their purported crimes not worse than those who looted the public till

''We must understand that, the militants or those who are in the creeks are victims of despair and hopelessness and it is important that government exercise a great level restrain in exercising military might on its own citizen and live to it responsibility of rehabilitating, engaging, empowering and given them hope of new life''.

ENDS

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