BY GODWIN IJEDIOGOR
DELTA State Governor, Chief Sheriff Oborevwori, on Tuesday, May 21, identified receding coastlines, declining aquaculture and extreme weather conditions as hindering the sustainable development of the South-South region.
Oborevwori, who stated this at the 13th Extraordinary General Assembly of the Forum of Traditional Rulers in the South-South region held in Asaba, the state capital, with the theme, ‘Strengthening Stakeholder Collaboration for the Development of the South-South Region: The Role of the Traditional Institutions,’ said environmental decay impacts negatively on the ecosystem.
The governor charged the monarchs to remain pillars of integrity and fairness, mediating conflicts and upholding justice in their various domains without partiality, saying: “There is no doubt that you occupy a unique and very critical place in governance.
“Today, we gather to recognise the pivotal role our traditional rulers play in the fabric of our community. You are the custodians of our rich heritage and the guardians of our cultural values.
“As we face the challenges of the modern world, you are uniquely positioned to bridge the gap between the communities and the government. As our traditional rulers, you are to foster unity in diversity.
“As you meet for this auspicious occasion, I urge you to encourage your people to embrace education and innovation, while preserving our invaluable traditions.”
Oborevwori charged the traditional rulers to help promote inclusiveness, ensuring that every voice is heard and every individual valued, adding: “Work closely with government and private organisations to bring developmental projects to your regions, especially in infrastructure, healthcare and education.
“One of the major challenges of development we face in the South-South region is that of environmental decay, which impacts negatively on our ecosystem. This is evident in our receding coastlines, declining aquaculture and extreme weather conditions.”
He, however, lauded the traditional institution for the vital roles it plays in developmental strategies and policies through mobilisation, noting: “I am aware that these days, you have perfected the utilisation of Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) methods to avoid the longer process of litigation.
“Given the essential roles you play, I advocate that the traditional institution deserve specific mention and functions in our Constitution. You deserve it.”
Senate President, Godswill Akpabio, represented by Senator Joel Onowakpo-Thomas Delta South), described the meeting as timely and called on government at all levels, politicians and other stakeholders from the region to synergise with traditional rulers in finding effective solutions to the challenges bedevilling the zone.
In his remarks, Minister of State for Petroleum, Senator Heineken Lokpobiri, stressed the urgent need to involve traditional rulers in peace building and to fight against oil theft, illegal bunkering and unrest in the region, saying increased oil production would bring more resources into the region for its development.
Chairman of the Forum, King Edmund Daukoru, Ningi XII, Amanyanabo of Nembe Kingdom, noted that Nigeria’s development gaps was due primarily to lack of cooperation and synergy among stakeholders, even as he decried lack of consultation with traditional institutions by almost all tiers of government.
Daukoru stated that the traditional institution had been increasingly marginalised with each constitutional amendment, to the point where “we are now entirely becoming out of the purview of the Constitution of the land we once undisputably led.”
Earlier, Chairman of Delta State Traditional Rulers Council, Maj-Gen. Felix Mujakperuo (rtd), said the vision of the Forum was to synergise and address the challenges of insecurity and under-development and promote peaceful co-existence.
