Governor Umo Eno Calls for Collaborations Between South-South Governors
Governor of Akwa Ibom state; Pastor. Umo Eno has reiterated the need for South South governors on the platform of BRACED Commission, which represents Bayelsa, Rivers, Akwa Ibom, Cross River, Edo and Delta states to collaborate for the interest of the region’s development.
Pst. Umo Eno highlighted this while fielding questions from newsmen at the Victor Attah International Airport, Uyo, upon his arrival from the meeting of the South South Governors Forum (SSGF).
He disclosed that some far-reaching resolutions taken by the Governors of the six South -South states during the meeting to include jettisoning political party sentiments and remaining united.
He explained that the meeting identified development in infrastructure, security, trade and commerce as areas that they need to enhance their collaboration.
“We also have to look at what we can benefit from one another. We can benefit from what we refer to as economy of scale by drawing strength from each other.
“We also pledged our support to the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria and the Federal government because we must establish that partnership to be able to bring development to our people.
“There are areas within the South/South region like the East-West Road linking all the states. We need to cooperate on commerce and trade.
“We need to cooperate in the area of security and we need to collaborate in the area of infrastructure. Those are the things we have to look at to foster development within our region,”
The letter stated that it was pertinent to note that when the release of water became necessary, the authorities of the Lagdo Dam would be releasing only a modulated variable small amount of water at a time in order to mitigate and avoid damage that the released water might cause along the River Benue basin in both Cameroon and in Nigeria.
“In view of the above, it would be appreciated if the esteemed agency takes all the necessary proactive steps and actions that will mitigate the damage as well as sensitise the populace living in such areas to vigilance and all necessary precautions.”
Lagdo Dam, located 50 kilometers south of the city of Garoua on the Benue River, often releases huge volumes of water when overflowing and this leads to flooding in various states downstream of Nigeria.
Based on this development, some states to be affected by the opening of the dam confirmed on Sunday that they would demolish structures on waterways, while others earmarked some schools to serve as camps for internally displaced persons.
Officials of the National Emergency Management Agency and the Nigeria Hydrological Services Agency said 11 states were along the path of River Benue and are going to be affected by the opening of Lagdo Dam.
Although they noted that there was no cause for alarm, they named the states to include Adamawa, Taraba, Benue, Nasarawa, Kogi, Anambra, Edo, Delta, Bayelsa, Rivers and Cross River. 
