Senator representing Delta South Senatorial District, Senator Joel-Onowakpo Thomas, says for the South South to see meaningful development and growth, there is an urgent need for monarchs, government appointees and elected representatives to collaborate.
The Isoko-born senator on the ticket of the All Progressives Congress (APC) lamented the wide gap between the revenue South South contributes to the national treasury and the development visible in the region.
“This is quite disturbing, however, if we must change this ugly narrative, all critical stakeholders in the region especially our revered monarchs, government appointees and elected representatives must deliberately work together,” the Senator charged.
Speaking at the opening ceremony of the 13th Extraordinary General Assembly of the South-South Monarchs Forum at the Unity Hall, Government House, Asaba, Delta State on Tuesday, Senator Joel-Onowakpo noted that until critical stakeholders form a united front and deliberately cooperate for the advancement of South-South, the development in the region will not be commensurate with the huge contributions being made to the national treasury.
He urged government appointees in the region, who are occupying vital offices, to always liaise with their elected counterparts as well as the monarchs, to positively change the fortune of the region.
“There is a wide gap between the revenue we contribute to the national treasury and the development we have as a region.
“This is quite disturbing, however, if we must change this ugly narrative, all critical stakeholders in the region especially our revered monarchs, government appointees and elected representatives must deliberately work together,” the Senator said.
He urged the monarchs to appoint a liaison officer who could work closely with both elected and appointed officers, acknowledging that traditional rulers are blessed with divine wisdom and have answers to many of the challenges bedevilling the society.
Joel-Onowakpo, who also represented Senate President Godswill Akpabio at the occasion as the Special Guest of Honour, commended the monarchs for establishing the South-South Monarchs Forum to forge a united front to protect the region, promote peace, security and development.
The theme of the event was ‘Strengthening Stakeholder Collaboration for Development in the South-South Region: The Role of the Traditional Institution’.
He assured the South-South monarchs that they will continue to strive towards ensuring what is due the region gets to her, adding that the present administration of President Ahmed Tinubu was working towards uplifting the fortune of the people.
Earlier, the Delta State governor, Sheriff Oborevwori, who declared the event open during his welcome address, lamented the poor development across the South-South region despite her natural riches.
He called on all leaders of the region to be more serious and proactive in advancing the course of the South-South.
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