बेयोंद थे SUMMIT

BEYOND THE SUMMIT

This weekend a South South Economic Summit holding in Calabar, Cross River State will come to an end. This is the first time that the six states from this geo-political zone are meeting to discuss their economy. Though the area is the mainstay of the Nigerian economy, because of its oil and gas resources, it is one of the poorest regions in the world. The South South zone is a paradox of poverty in the midst of plenty. The area is underdeveloped, neglected and the environment degraded and polluted. This is the price the people and land have to pay for being the engine room of the nation’s economy. The area is universally notorious for being the most polluted place in the world.

This economic summit is a welcome development because in the past the political leaders of the area have been accused of mismanaging the pittance that the Federal Government of Nigeria has been giving to the states as derivation. Why the summit is very timely is that one day the oil may dry up or another cheaper means of energy may be found and our oil would no longer be sought after. Bio fuel may replace oil.
The economic summit should not be politicized or made to look like one of the party programmes of the ruling Peoples Democratic Party (PDP). It should not be a gathering for political showmanship, rhetoric, and rivalry. It should be devoid of political intrigues and ethnicity. Rather it should be a deliberate and sincere effort to reposition the South South economically in its bid to exploit other abundant resources in the area besides oil and gas.
The aims, goals, objectives, targets and vision of the summit should be that of regional integration, partnership, cohesion, cooperation and economic development of the South South. The states should partner with the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) and the Ministry of Niger Delta Affairs on the area of developmental projects, programmes and infrastructural development to avoid conflicts, wastages and duplication. There is need for synergy among the states, NDDC and the ministry.
The states should avoid unhealthy rivalry and competition, embarking on projects and constructing certain infrastructures just to score cheap political points or play to the gallery. Rather states that have comparative advantage in certain areas, like Cross River which is blessed with large expanse of land, and fertile land can concentrate on agro and allied businesses instead of jumping into oil and gas sector though the state can collaborate and invest with states like Rivers and Bayelsa that have oil and gas. There is need for equality of states while the strong should support the weak.
Besides economic cooperation there certain areas that need the attention of the South South states if their economy should receive a turnaround. The area boasts of five dormant and idle ports yet the governments, companies and contractors doing business in the area import through sea on a daily basis. These ports can be put to use. The ripple effect of these five ports functioning would better be imagined. The government should get in touch with the relevant authorities to bring these ports back to life. Same for the Export Processing Zone in Calabar and the Onne Free Trade Zone in Rivers State. We need good roads like the East West road, the proposed Coastal Road, a rail line from Calabar to Lagos and good inter state roads.
Health is wealth and the best resources one can boasts of is the human resources. The South South is reported to have the highest HIV/AIDS prevalence in Nigeria, that is, above national average. For our people to be alive and enjoy the expected economic revolution in the area there is need for a massive HIV/AIDS awareness campaign in all the nook and cranny of the Niger Delta so the we can have the required workforce for the future.
The summit should come out with how the South South would tackle the problems of insecurity which the area is notorious for. One of the reasons for the agitation in the area is the issue of environmental pollution and degradation. The states should reach out to the central government and the relevant authorities to put an end to gas flaring and all other forms of environmental degradation going on in the area. The locals should be sensitize on why they should not contribute to environmental pollution because of a short term gain. All oil spill sites should be clean and remediation exercises carried out.

There is need for a revisit of education and educational facilities in the area. We should not only supply oil we should also be exporters of quality manpower to the world. Also the states should embark on an aggressive artisan training for its indigenes to take active part in the booming oil and gas industry as well as other sectors of the economy. There is need for the zone to prepare it youths to seize the unlimited opportunity in the maritime industry like the training of sea farers who are in great demand worldwide.
The issue of good governance and prudent application and management of resources accruing to these states are of paramount importance. The political process should be open, transparent and participatory to check feeling of marginalization while political leaders should avoid the winners take all attitude. Politics should be an opportunity to serve a people (common goal) and not a political party; political parties are only platforms for political participation.