PORT HARCOURT — Governors of the six South-South states under the umbrella of the South-South Governors’ Forum have finalized plans for a high-level bilateral meeting with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to address acute infrastructure deficits, ecological degradation, and delayed federal transport projects across the Niger Delta region.
The resolution was reached during a strategic briefing convened in Port Harcourt on Monday, September 7, 2026, where regional leaders emphasized that despite generating the bulk of national oil revenues, the South-South continues to suffer from severely compromised federal road networks, underutilized deep-sea ports, and slow execution of coastal rail projects.
The forum noted that key economic arteries—including the East-West Road, the Calabar-Thu/Itu highway, and the Benin-Auchi corridor—require urgent structural intervention to prevent complete supply chain breakdowns that affect both regional commerce and national energy logistics.
Key Demands & Agenda for Executive Engagement
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East-West Road & Trunk Corridor Completion: The governors are seeking a binding execution timeline and dedicated funding mechanics to complete remaining unpaved sections and deteriorating bridges along the East-West road corridor.
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Maritime & Port Utilization: The forum is advocating for tariff concessions, dredging, and security upgrades for eastern ports—including Port Harcourt, Onne, Warri, and Calabar—to decongest Lagos ports and boost regional maritime trade.
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Ecological Funding & Energy Transition: Regional executives plan to push for direct sub-national access to ecological remediation funds and clear frameworks governing host community development trusts under the Petroleum Industry Act (PIA).
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Security & Oil Asset Protection: The governors reaffirmed their commitment to collaborative security arrangements with federal security agencies to protect critical oil infrastructure while insisting on local youth empowerment through maritime and agricultural initiatives.
