South-South/South-East Governors Pass Vote Of Confidence on President Jonathan

Governors of the South- South and South East with the exception of Edo State yesterday passed a vote of confidence on President Goodluck Jonathan. The governors took the stand at an enlarged meeting in Asaba, Delta State capital.

The meeting , they said , was to review the state of the nation and discussed what they described as topical issues confronting the nation's nascent democracy.

The meeting, which held at the new Government House, lasted for about five hours and had in attendance Martin Elechi (Ebonyi); Dickson Seriake (Bayelsa); Theodore Orji (Abia); Liyel Imoke (Cross River); Peter Obi (Anambra); Godswill Akpabio (Akwa Ibom); Emmanuel Uduaghan (Delta); Chime Sullivan (Enugu) and Rochas Okorocha (Imo).

But the Rivers State Governor Rotimi Amaechi was represented at the occasion by his deputy, Tele Ikuru while Edo State Governor Adams Oshiomhole was couspicously absent and did not send his deputy.

Governor Imoke read first part of the two page-communiqué while Governor Obi read that last paragraph of the resolutions .

The governors, at a crowded press conference, announced their total support for the administration of President Jonathan.

The communique reads in part: "The South-South and South -East governors commend President Goodluck Jonathan for his focused leadership, and bold results yielding transformation agenda, which deserves unwavering support of all Nigerians and friends of Nigeria alike for the laudable achievements of the administration in strengthening our democracy , stabilizing the polity , growing the economy and improving the quality of lives of all citizens continue to unfold. Economic and political corporation within the regions.

The governors further commended Jonathan for the "extensive ongoing rehabilitation and modernization of the airports across the country , particularly those in our region", but called on the Federal Government to establishes cargo airports including additional sea ports in the region, including Ibaka, and escravos

They pleaded with the Federal government carry out the dredging of Calabar Ports, and agreed to work together in order to revive the agro-allied industries , particularly oil palm and robber plantation , to exploit the comparative advantage in agriculture in the region.

The governors agreed on economic and political integration of the old Eastern and Midwest regions , now the South- South and the South-East, and pledged to strengthen corporation across the board with particular focus on development of infrastructure linking the region , particularly federal roads.

*Allafrica