Diana Okon-Effiong, Calabar
The Obong of Calabar, Edidem Ekpo Okon Abasi Otu (V) has appealed to the federal Government to speed up infrastructure development in the South-South Geopolitical zone of Nigeria.
The Efik monarch stated this in an address Monday at the opening of the South-South Consolidated Forum’s (SCF) “Way forward Summit 2013” at the Tinapa Business and Leisure Resort, Calabar. He also assured of the resolve by the royal father’s of the zone “to strengthen and lend support to those who share the dream for the speedy development of the South-South region”.
According to Otu the region is yet to get the desired development attention in spite of its strategic role in the economic development of Nigeria. He also stated that he convened the meeting “to bring leaders, men, women, professionals, royal fathers and all those who share the aspiration of a great South-South to brainstorm and chart a new course for the development of the region.”
He said that the outcome of forum would “provide a strong basis for our leaders to realise that the south-south region deserves a fair deal.”
He noted that the aim of the group formed in 2011 is to foster unity and peace, advocate for development, promote good governance and serve as a voice for the south-south.
“It is my hope that the foundation of the forum will never be derailed by any political undertone” the Obong said.
In his address, Chief Dick Harry, the National President of SCF, also appealed to the federal government to declare a state of emergency on infrastructure development in the South-South zone
In a paper entitled “South-South Nigeria: which way Forward” Alatubo Charles Harry, urged the zone to resolve “to challenge and confront all parameters that have a nexus with degradation, dehumanisation, oppression, suppression, subjugation and underdevelopment. He also stated in his lead paper that the region could collectively approach the Supreme Court of Nigeria “to determine the constitutionality of some obnoxious, unnatural and anti-South-south laws”.
Dick said such laws included the land Use decree; the petroleum act; the Inland waterways act; and the Onshore/Offshore dichotomy.
“Another way forward is to collectively sue the International Oil Companies (IOC) at the international courts in their home countries and at the Haque, for crimes of environmental degradation and criminal dehumanisation of the people of South-South”, he stated.
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