Okowa, Obaseki brainstorm on economic, social ties

Want improved governance structure on NDDC
Delta State Governor Ifeanyi Okowa and his Edo State counterpart, Mr. Godwin Obaseki, cut short their Sallah holidays yesterday to brainstorm on how to deepen economic ties and improve on the security situation in the two states. Obaseki arrived at the Government House in Asaba with members of his executive council at about 1.06 p.m. and was received by Governor Okowa and his team.

The meeting went into closed doors and lasted for about 45 minutes before they were joined by journalists. Okowa said: “It was a meeting between brothers and friends who are now governors and more interesting is that our states belonged to the old Bendel State and he came with ideas that will move the two states forward.”

The Delta State governor, who clarified that it was not the first time they would be meeting to discuss in a convivial atmosphere, said: “We want to leverage on our strong ties as members of old Bendel State to better the lot of our people.”However, Edo State governor, in his brief speech, stated that it was important for the governors of the two states to discuss the issues of common interest such as economy, security, energy and the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC), among others, bearing in mind that both states share the longest boundary and historical background.

According to him: “We discussed economic co-operation between our two states.
We looked into how to strengthen our economic ties and our participation in Bayelsa, Rivers, Akwa Ibom, Cross River, Edo and Delta (BRACED) Commission.

“We looked at insecurity in our common borders, especially communal clashes and general insecurity and we have agreed to ask the Assistant Inspector-General of Police and the Commissioners of Police to come up with a plan to restore security in our states.”

“We also agreed to ask for the inauguration of the NDDC Advisory Committee of Governors and also to work with our colleagues to improve governance in the commission.

And we also looked at the area of energy as Delta, Edo, Ondo and Ekiti states are major stakeholders in Benin Electricity Distribution Company (BEDC) and so, we need to strengthen the DisCo to provide electricity to our people and make it work efficiently for the region,” Obaseki further said.