By Ejiro Nesisa
Delta South Senatorial District’s representative, Senator Joel Onowakpo Thomas said there is need for synergy between and among, Monarchs Government’s appointees and elected representatives for the development and growth of the South-South region. Senator Joel-Onowakpo made this known on Tuesday at the opening ceremony of the 13th Extraordinary General Assembly of the South-South Monarchs Forum at the Unity Hall, Government House Asaba, Delta State.
After Senator Onowakpo presented the Senate President, Senator God’swill Ufot Akpabio’s remarks as the special guest of honour in the event, he spoke as a South South Senator. According to Senator Onowakpo, there is need for critical stakeholders to have a synergy for the advancement of South-South, failure which, the development in the region will not be commensurate with the huge contributions being made to the national treasury.
He challenged government’s appointees in the region that occupy strategic offices to always liaise with their elected counterparts and their Monarchs are said to be custodians of rich traditional heritage to positively change the fortune of the region. His words:” There is a wide gap between the revenue we contribute to the national treasury and the development we have as a region. This is quite disturbing, however, if we must change this ugly narrative, all critical stakeholders in the region especially our revered monarchs, government appointees and elected representatives must deliberately work together,”.
Senator Onowakpo charged Monarchs to appoint a liaison officer who can work closely with both elected and appointed officers, saying that traditional rulers are blessed with divine wisdom and have answers to many of the challenges bedeviling the society.He therefore commended the Monarchs for forming the South-South Monarchs Forum to forge a united front to project the region, promote peace, security and development.
He assured the South-South Monarchs that they will continue to strive towards ensuring that what is due the region gets to her, adding that the present administration of President Ahmed Tinubu was working towards uplifting the fortune of the people.
Earlier,his welcome address in the event themed:”Strengthening Stakeholders’ Collaboration for Development in the South-South Region: The Role of the Traditional Institution, the Delta State Governor, His Excellency, Rt. Hon. Sheriff Oborevwori, who declared the event open lamented the poor development level of across the South-South region despite the presence of natural resources He therefore urged all leaders of the region to be more serious and proactive in advancing the course of the South-South region.