SOUTH-SOUTH Governors have agreed to establish a regional security outfit to check crimes in the various states.
Meeting yesterday in Rivers, 18 months after the last one at Asaba, Delta State, the governors also declared their support for the collection of Value Added Tax (VAT) by states.
Cross River State Governor Ben Ayade, who recently joined the ruling All Progressives Congress, APC, was not at the meeting. The other governors of the region who are all members of the opposition were, however, present.
Chairman of the forum and Delta State Governor Ifeanyi Okowa said in a communiqué that they would soon unveil a joint security outfit.
“Bearing in mind that most of the BRACED states have established their states’ security organ, we approve a regional security architecture which will be launched very soon,” said Okowa.
“We unequivocally support the decision for states to collect value added tax, and resolved to join the suit before the Supreme court.”
The forum also called on the Federal Government to publish the report of the forensic audit of the Niger Delta Development Commission, NDDC, and urgently appoint a substantive board for the commission.
