The Southern Governors’ Forum, the umbrella body for 17 governors from the three geo-political zones of South-West, South-East and South-South, has planned generating 90,000 MW of electricity to cater for the power needs of 90 million residents of the region
The Forum said it is embarking on this project using the rule of thumb of 1,000 MW per 1 million population to arrive at its 90,000MW target.
The member States have therefore been encouraged to take advantage of the recent Constitutional amendment that now allows states to regulate, generate, transmit and distribute electricity whilst also considering renewable sources of energy to bring the dream to reality
This is just as the governors have also called for the consideration of the cost of living and ability of each State to pay the new minimum wage, and therefore called on the Federal Government to allow each State to negotiate the new minimum wage with the labour unions.
The communique was signed by all the 17 southern governors.
The governors are Dapo Abiodun of Ogun State, newly elected Chairman of the Forum, Prof Charles Soludo, who is the governor of Anambra State and Vice-Chairman of the group, Gov Seyi Makinde, of Oyo State, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, of Lagos State, Godwin Obaseki – Edo State, Sen Hope Uzodimma – Imo State, Abiodun Oyebanji – Ekiti State, Duoye Diri – Bayelsa, Ademola Adeleke – Osun State, and Pastor Umo Eno, of Akwa Ibom State.
Others are Siminalayi Fubara – Rivers State, Gov Bassey Otu – Cross-Rivers, Francis Nwifuru – Ebonyi State, Lucky Ayedatiwa, of Ondo State, Peter Mbah – Enugu, Sheriff Oborevwori – Delta and Dr. Alex Otti, of Abia State
In their 16 point-communiqué, the Forum 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 State governments.
It noted that issuing mineral licences 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 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 whilst also considering optional sources like renewables.
The southern governors said they have resolved to aggressively embark on energy transition plan from fossil fuels (petrol and diesel) to cleaner energy and specifically CNG (Compressed Natural Gas) and ultimately 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. They applauded President BolaTinubu for conceptualising and commencing the construction of the Lagos-Calabar Coastal Road, which cuts across eight states of the region.
On 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 members of the Forum commended 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 end of the meeting, Prince Dapo Abiodun was chosen to provide the needed leadership as Chairman of the Forum, while the governor of Anambra State Professor Charles Chukwuma Soludo, was appointed as the Vice Chairman.
