COMMUNIQUE ISSUED AT THE INAUGURAL MEETING OF THE SOUTH SOUTH DEVELOPMENT THINK TANK (SOSODETT) HELD ON 5TH FEBRUARY, 2013 AT SOMITEL HOTEL, PORTHARCOUT, RIVERS STATE.
PREAMBLE
The South-South Development Think Tank held its inaugural meeting on 5th February, 2013 in Port Harcourt, Rivers State. The meeting was attended by members from the States of Rivers, Delta, Cross Rivers, Akwa Ibom and Bayelsa.
The meeting agreed that the setting up of a development think tank to work for the development of the Niger Delta region, and Nigeria in general is an idea whose time has come. The core goal of the think tank is to work for the sustainable development of the Niger Delta region.
OBSERVATIONS
The meeting deliberated on the state of the Federal Republic of Nigeria and the Niger Delta, and observed as follows:
1. There are many resourceful persons in the region who can in no small measure contribute ideas, knowledge, intellectual software and strategies for the rapid development of the Niger Delta.
2. There is the need to articulate and potentiate the voice and action of political, social, economic and ecological stakeholders on matters of corporate and national interest which affects the South-South.
3. There is reported growth in the economy of Nigeria since return to civil rule in 1999, but at the same time, there is increasing poverty in the Niger Delta region.\\
4. The on-going controversy on the Petroleum Industry Bill (PIB) especially as it affects host communities does not augur well for the country as the host communities bear the brunt of the devastating effects of oil exploration and exploitation.
5. There is the need for a national conference to discuss how Nigeria should be structured to promote rapid development taking into cognizance the Niger Delta experience in the last 99 years.
6. There is the need for the restructuring of Nigeria ensuring that the country practices "true" (genuine) federalism (federal systems) with proper fiscal arrangements.
RESOLUTIONS
The Meeting resolved as follows:
1. That the South-South Development Think Tank be set up made up of Historians, Philosophers, Lawyers, Demographers, Economists, Doctors, Pharmacists and other professionals from the South-South zone.
2. The Think Tank will among other things articulate and promote strategic development issues of the South-South zone within the national context.
3. The passage of the PIB is critical to the development of the oil and gas sector in Nigeria and all efforts should be geared towards its expeditious passage in the interest of the country.
4. The PIB should be passed as soon as possible in a form that will promote transparency and accountability in the Oil and Gas sector, and also be beneficial to the country and host communities.
5. The PIB should be passed in a form that will guarantee equitable interest and benefit to host communities in line with international best practice.
6. Nigeria should promote inclusive growth that will provide employment for the youth especially as youth unemployment is partly fueling kidnapping and other crimes in the Niger Delta region.
7. There is need to promote better leadership selection process and electoral integrity in the Niger Delta region in coming elections to ensure that the best among the people assume leadership positions.
8. To commission papers and studies on several aspects of Niger Delta development including Restructuring of Nigeria for development; National Conference; PIB; Leadership and Electoral Integrity; Security; Inclusive Growth and Communication.
9. The Think Tank elected its officials as follows:
Prof. Itse Sagay- Chairman
Dr. Lucky Eleanya- Editor, Journal of Niger Delta Studies
Dr. Otive Igbuzor-Director, Advocacy and Campaigns
10. The Think Tank resolved to pursue its aims and objectives through research, publications, capacity building and advocacy, and campaigns.
Prof. Itse Sagay Dr. Lucky Eleanya Dr. Otive Igbuzor
Chairman Editor Director, Advocacy and Campaigns
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