SOUTH – SOUTH GOVERNORS’ FORUM MEETS IN YENAGOA.

The South-South Governors’ Forum resolved to work towards enacting laws to address issues of environmental pollution and degradation.

This was part of the resolutions reached in a four point communiqué issued at the end of a one day meeting held in Government House, Yenagoa on the 7^th of October, 2011.

The law is expected to tackle the problems of illegal refineries which contribute significantly to environmental degradation. According to the communiqué, the forum also deliberated on the urgent need to focus on development of large scale agriculture as a post-oil strategy towards ensuring food security and job creation.

The communiqué expressed concern on the state of education in the region and the need to reverse the trend, stating that a South-South education summit would be held next year with other stakeholders, with a view to proffering solutions to the problem in the sector.

It also said the meeting was held essentially to review the preparations for hosting the second South-South Economic Summit to be held in Asaba, Delta State from the 24^th-26^th of next month. The summit is expected to focus more on economic cooperation and integration of the South-South States as well as encourage private sector participation.

Governor of Rivers State, Mr. Rotimi Amaechi, his counterpart in Delta, Dr. Emmanuel Uduaghan and the host Govenor, Chief Timipre Sylva attended the meeting.