TheCable

South-west governors on Monday set up a joint task force to contain all forms of security threat in the region.

They did this at a meeting in Abeokuta, Ogun state capital. The governors also approved the establishment of the western Nigeria export development initiative to drive the export potentials of the region.

The governors also resolved to forge ahead with a regional integration plan in key sectors such as agriculture, security and economy.

In attendance were Akinwunmi Ambode (Lagos), Ibikunle Amosun (Ogun), Rauf Aregbesola (Osun), Abiola Ajimobi (Oyo), Rotimi Akeredolu (Ondo) and Ayodele Fayose (Ekiti).

The meeting convened at the instance of Development Agenda for Western Nigeria (DAWN) commission.

A communique, entitled ‘Economic self-determination for western Nigeria: The export alternative’, was issued at the end.

Amosun, who read the communique, said the governors declared zero tolerance for crime and criminality in the region henceforth.

“The governors further resolved that the artificial boundaries, religion and political affiliation would no longer constitute a barrier to the region’s development even as they directed DAWN commission to develop a 25-year western Nigeria development master plan,” Habib Aruna, chief press secretary to Ambode, said in a statement.

“They also decided that states in the various regions should significantly improve bilateral and multilateral cooperation so as to foster regional development.

“They said there is need to harness the competitive advantage of all the states in the region for sustainable regional development.

“In a bid to improve the food security of the region, the governors directed DAWN to convene a regional agric summit and to also develop a revenue optimisation strategy for the states.”