Rising from a closed-door meeting in Asaba, the Delta State capital, that lasted over four hours, governors of South-South and South-East Nigeria yesterday tabled a list of demands before the federal authorities.

Among these is the implementation of the free trade zone, construction of railway links, establishment of cargo airports, building of additional deep sea ports in the region and also the dredging of the Calabar Port.

The demands were contained in a communique jointly presented by Governors Liyel Imoke and Peter Obi after the meeting held at the new Government House, Asaba.

In the communiqué, all the governors agreed to work together and vowed to ensure economic and political integration in the region, as well as the development of infrastructures linking the region especially with federal roads.

The governors commended President Goodluck Jonathan for ongoing rehabilitation of the nation’s airports.

They expressed they optimism about that the future of the region which they claim is one that would guarantee peace, security, development and economic stability.

The governors sympathised with the people of South-East and Nigeria in general on the death of literary icon, Prof Chinua Achebe, lauding his legacy.

Speaking during the presentation of the communiqué, Governor Peter Obi of Anambra State urged Nigerians to co-operate with the government in addressing the crises plaguing the country such as kidnapping, pipeline vandalism and insecurity to secure the region its much needed investment.

Hosted by Governor Emmanuel Uduaghan, the meeting was attended by Godswill Akpabio of Akwa Ibom, Theodore Orji of Abia, Peter Obi of Anambra, Liyel Imoke of Cross River, Seriake Dickson of Bayelsa, Elechi Martins of Ebonyi, Rochas Okorocha of Imo State and Sulivian Chime of Enugu.

Comrade Adams Oshiomhole of Edo State and Rivers State Governor, Rotimi Amaechi, did not attend. While Amaechi sent his deputy, Engineer Tele Ikuru, Oshiomhole sent no representative.

•Photo (L-R) shows Governors Uduaghan, Elechi, Dickson and Imoke at the meeting. In the background is Orji . . . yesterday in Asaba.

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