South-East, South-South governors resolve to tackle oil theft

The governors of states in the South-East and South-South geopolitical zones on Sunday in Enugu resolved to work together in efforts to tackle the increasing rate of oil theft in the country.

Governor Peter Obi of Anambra, who is the chairman of South-East Governors’ Forum, told newsmen at the end of the governors’ meeting that the two zones also agreed to work together in developing the area’s infrastructure.

“Akwa Ibom and Abia states have reached an understanding to work with the private sector to reconstruct the Umuahia-Ikot Ekpene Road in order to improve economic activities in the two states.

“We (the governors) discussed the issue of oil theft and how we are going to curb it. We also discussed issue of ethnic harmony and how to promote it,’’ he said,

Obi said that the governors commended President Goodluck Jonathan on his achievements, as reflected in his midterm report, saying that the feats demonstrated that his transformation agenda was on course.

He conveyed the continued support the governors for the transformation agenda of the Jonathan-administration.

The meeting was attended by eight of the 11 governors in the two zones.

Those who attended the meeting include Governor Theodore Orji of Abia, Governor Godswill Akpabio of Akwa Ibom, Governor Seriake Dickson of Bayelsa, Governor Liyel Imoke of Cross River and Governor Emmanuel Uduaghan of Delta.

Others are Governor Martin Elechi of Ebonyi and Governor Sullivan Chime of Enugu State.

However, Governor Adams Oshiomole of Edo, Governor Rochas Okorocha of Imo and Governor Rotimi Amechi of Rivers did not attend the meeting.