The Southern Governors’ Forum, which is composed of 17 governors from Southern Nigeria, has pushed for allowing each state to bargain with labour unions to determine a new minimum wage.
Following their meeting in the capital of Ogun State, Abeokuta, a communiqué was released that included this information.
“The Forum discussed the minimum wage issues demanded by labour and unanimously agreed that the minimum wage should be reflective of the cost of living and ability to pay, and each State be allowed to negotiate their minimum wage,” the communique partly read.
The Forum articulated concerns about present processes wherein mineral licences are awarded and explorations are carried out without consulting state governments, and it called for strengthening fiscal federalism and devolution of powers in the 16-point communiqué.
The report pointed out that granting mining licences without consulting the states had led to criminal activity, detrimental environmental effects, ecological degradation, and a lack of funding for remediation or revenue for the federal government or the states.
The governors contended that, as the country’s economic and industrial centre, it was imperative to address the region’s inadequate power supply by utilising the recently enacted constitutional amendment, which gives States the authority to control the production, distribution, and transmission of electricity while also taking renewable energy sources into account.
In order to help lower the cost of transport, which would lower the cost of food, goods and services for citizens and residents, the governors of the South said they have decided to aggressively embark on an energy transition plan from fossil fuels (petrol and diesel) to cleaner energy, specifically CNG (Compressed Natural Gas) and ultimately EVs (Electric Vehicles).
The meeting also praised President Tinubu for conceptualising and starting the construction of the Lagos-Calabar Coastal Road, which crosses eight states in the region, and called on the Federal Government to rehabilitate, repair, and reconstruct Trunk A roads as well as transfer some roads to States that have expressed interest in taking them over.
In order to facilitate interstate and intraregional movement of people, goods, and services and to improve the ease of doing business, the Communique hinted that the governors had decided to commission a regional multimodal transport master plan.
This plan would prioritise the connectivity of rail, road, air, and water transportation. According to the statement, the Southern States Development Agenda (SSDA) will be implemented by a team whose main duty will be to create a comprehensive plan that will promote trade and investment, sustainable growth and development, economic prosperity, social harmony, and food security for the area.
The governors also stated that the Development Agenda would collaborate closely with the Nigeria Investment Promotion Commission (NIPC), various State Investment Promotion and Facilitation organisations, and other pertinent MDAs and multilateral organisations as needed. Regarding state police, the governors decided to keep pushing for their establishment in light of the accomplishments of local community-based security groups, which have proven successful in obtaining intelligence.
The communique went on to say that they have resolved to be deliberate and intentional about intraregional trade, partnerships, and investment facilitation and promotion, which it was agreed would require a structured and coordinated collaborative approach.
They have also resolved to remain united and committed to oneness of purpose, noting that the physical boundaries that divide the people of the South could not be compared to the strong bonds of enterprise, resilience, and culture that they share.
The Forum’s members praised Mr. Tinubu for providing food palliative support to States and for his commendable economic recovery reforms and policies through the implementation of the Renewed Hope Agenda. They also pledged to stand by him in his unwavering determination to turn the nation around and create a better future for everybody.
