The current plan by the six states in the South-South geo-political zone of the country to set up a regional electricity company to boost investment and industrialisation in that region is a step in the right direction. This planned cooperation could not have come at a better time.

It demonstrates strategic thinking to address a key problem that even the Federal Government is still grappling with. Coming together under the acronym BRACED, representing the six states in the zone - Bayelsa, Rivers, Edo, Akwa Ibom and Delta States - the states revealed during the official unveiling of the plan in Port Harcourt, the Rivers state capital, that they have already concluded plans to commence high-level discussions with the presidency for other business models to be integrated into the plan.

Part of the discussion with the presidency is said to include the development of the Federal Government's West - East integrated railway project that would pass through the South-South region. The business plan is targeted at ensuring that the rail project is sustainable, profitable and capable of opening more business investment opportunities in the zone.

The six states also said they have resolved to carry out a feasibility study for the electricity company in addition to a regional integrated oil and gas firm. Part of the strategic plan, according to the initiators, is a BRACED Commission that will be the template for investment and industrialisation of the zone.

The states' Commissioners of Economic Development/Planning, Finance, Agriculture, Industry and Commerce, have been mandated to map out strategies that will create enabling environment to achieve the objectives.
Already, the newly appointed Director General of the commission, Ambassador Joe Keshi, has been directed to explore how best agriculture in the region could be revived to facilitate industrialisation and job creation.
We laud the governors of the South-South for this brilliant idea. Clearly, the South-South region has what it takes to be the hub of Nigeria's economy. It is home to one of the world's biggest investment opportunities in oil and gas. It is also blessed with vast human resources and technical know-how.

If the leaders can maximize the business opportunities, the South-South can become one of the fastest-growing economies in Africa. However, the Niger Delta is yet to leverage on these opportunities and other external investment inflow because of long years of security concerns as a result of the activities of militants in the area.
We urge the leadership of the South-South to move forward with this initiative. Let the region go beyond the initiation stage and fashion out a dynamic economic development plan that will trigger the much-needed industrialisation.

All the three critical areas - power supply, integrated railways, and oil and gas - are indispensable economic indicators that can lead to a paradigm shift in the development process of any country or geo-political zone. Interestingly, these areas remain challenges to government at all levels. If the South-South succeeds in these areas, it will have positive impact on its citizens and the country as a whole. Armed with the financial wherewithal, the zone has no reason to fail.

The crucial thing is the political will and sincerity of purpose that should drive the initiate into a success story. This is the time for zones to begin to see themselves as agents of change and development of their regions, independent of the Federal Government. Other geo-political zones should borrow a leaf from this worthy initiative. Nigeria will be the better for it.

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This was culled from The Sun News. What do you think?

Amaechi and Oshiomole seem visionary in thinking and action, but I'm afraid the chop chop Uduaghan, Akpabio and Sylva could make the plan another mere talk show.

omanzo02:

Amaechi and Oshiomole seem visionary in thinking and action, but I'm afraid the chop chop Uduaghan, Akpabio and Sylva could make the plan another mere talk show.

A commission has already been setup.

Not just a commision been setup. They should also see to the full implementation of the commission.

An excellent development. More regional integration = win

More like it. I expect the SE and SW to have similar thinking.

OAM4J:

More like it. I expect the SE and SW to have similar thinking.

Why should they have similar thinking? So you want Edo man to have similar ideology with an Igbo man when Yorubas are closer to them both in geography and culture?.

aloy/emeka:

Why should they have similar thinking? So you want Edo man to have similar ideology with an Igbo man when Yorubas are closer to them both in geography and culture?.

So whats your point?

I don't think it has anything to do with culture or whatever. The SS isn't very homogenous culturally anyways.

Overall, the more important thing to me is a local focus rather than a national one. If everyone focuses on making their region as strong as it can be, Nigeria would be better off

aloy/emeka:

Why should they have similar thinking? So you want Edo man to have similar ideology with an Igbo man when Yorubas are closer to them both in geography and culture?.

Am a progressive. Am for any ideology or cooperation that brings progress and development to the people. The people's progress first!

you must be sick.  Edo people have nothing in common with igbo people. where are some of you people from. You cant be nigerian , not to know that.

Delta and Edo state goes with Yoruba people .


Look Even River states will be going with Igbo people. Nearly half of the people living in river state are Igbo, like Okoro madu Igwe. So what nonsense are you people talking about.



Look at the satellite picture. You people must be northerners. playing games with southerners.


Ibekwe, Oyigbo etc are all igbo names.  So river state must go with igbo people.

And look the Igbos have little or no oil. where do you expect them to get money from.  And since must people in rivers are Igbo state, they will vote to go with the Igbo people. Are do you get your way. You are wasting your time.

the problem with the idea of south south is ijaw people. but they should know, if ijaw peple can live peaceful with igbo people in river state. they can live peacefully.

Even It is Uhrobo and Itsekiri we need to separate from the Ijaw people because of history and fight. Even to the extend of genocide when Ijaw people burn down villages and town of Itsekiri and Uhrobo people. Have you seen Ijaw or Igbo people fight before. NO.

I do not know why some groups are placed where they are not wanted and do no belong to. The idea of regional cooperation is laudable in the south south. However, Anioma in Delta state and Upland Rivers state should look to the south east for regional cooperation.

why do u guys have so much fun in derailing threads, I am ashamed , Andrew uweh u re better than this, aloy emeka u no dey tire? are, musiwa, 4k u n ur maps

Andre Uweh:

I do not know why some groups are placed where they are not wanted and do no belong to. The idea of regional cooperation is laudable in the south south. However, Anioma in Delta state and Upland Rivers state should look to the south east for regional cooperation.

My post is in accordance with the thread. Delta Igbo and Rivers Igbo are better positioned for regional integration with the south east.
Alloy was right as well, Edo is very close to Yorubaland and is better postioned to cooperate with the south west in comparism to Cross River state that is thousands of miles away.

dont mine them, when 1 ,000,000 delta state citizen live in Yorubaland.  Less than 20,000 live in the east of Nigeria. Some people are either silly or , I dont know what.

How can a delta state with 1,000,000 citizen in Yorubaland , go to work with an area of less than 20,000 of its citizen. Does it sound reasonable. Whose benefit is that? 

You people on nairaland are funny

Andre Uweh:

I do not know why some groups are placed where they are not wanted and do no belong to. The idea of regional cooperation is laudable in the south south. However, Anioma in Delta state and Upland Rivers state should look to the south east for regional cooperation.

When the South East find their feet and learn how to start crawling, Igbo's in Delta and Rivers wont mind joining them but right now we r with a team prepared to run and we wont be bogged down by ethnic affiliations. Enough of the dancing in circles.

Musiwa,.:

you must be sick. Edo people have nothing in common with igbo people. where are some of you people from. You cant be nigerian , not to know that.

Delta and Edo state goes with Yoruba people .


Look Even River states will be going with Igbo people. Nearly half of the people living in river state are Igbo, like Okoro madu Igwe. So what nonsense are you people talking about.



Look at the satellite picture. You people must be northerners. playing games with southerners.


Ibekwe, Oyigbo etc are all igbo names. So river state must go with igbo people.

And look the Igbos have little or no oil. where do you expect them to get money from. And since must people in rivers are Igbo state, they will vote to go with the Igbo people. Are do you get your way. You are wasting your time.

the problem with the idea of south south is ijaw people. but they should know, if ijaw peple can live peaceful with igbo people in river state. they can live peacefully.

Even It is Uhrobo and Itsekiri we need to separate from the Ijaw people because of history and fight. Even to the extend of genocide when Ijaw people burn down villages and town of Itsekiri and Uhrobo people. Have you seen Ijaw or Igbo people fight before. NO.

Nna u dey try chastise pesin meanwhile na u wey no know wetin u dey yan, Does ifeanyi Okowa? sound yoruba? does Nzeogwu sound yoruba? does chike edozien sound yoruba? does jay jay okocha sound yoruba?

Delta state is a heterogeneous state the closest thing to yoruba in that state is the itshekiri which are the second minority after Isoko (which i dont understand why they dont say they are urhobo, there is strength in numbers o).

Delta North is igbo (even though some of my brethren will start calling the name of their village as their ethnic group).

Delta North does not have cultural affinity with yorubas rather they have with the Binis and Igbos. urhobos and isokos dont have cultural affinity with yorubas rather they have with the Binis, neither do the Ijaw. So apart from Itshekiri's which are 11% of the population of delta how can you come up with your conclusion that delta is yoruba?

You are begining to think anyhow like OAMJ

I hope this is still on . . .