SOUTH-SOUTH governors have reaf-firmed their support for the position of Nigeria Governors Forum that the revenue allocation formula should be reviewed to give more money to states and local government as well as devolve more powers and responsibilities to the states for rapid development.

This was contained in a communique released by the governors after the first ordinary session of the Bayelsa, Rivers, Akwa Ibom, Cross River, Edo and Delta (BRACED) Commission Governors Council 2012 held in Calabar, which was presided over by its chairman, Governor Liyel Imoke of Cross River State.

On the issue of derivation and revenue sharing formula, they regretted the attempt to link the rising insecurity in some parts of the country to the13 per cent derivation and considered it unfortunate and misplaced.

They insisted that the issue to be addressed now was environmental degradation and pollution in the Niger Delta occasioned by oil exploitation which had adversely affected fishing and farming activities, adding that it makes it imperative for an upward review of the derivation fund and introduction of fiscal federalism.

The governors questioned the rationale for not exploiting other mineral resources in different parts of the country while depleting the oil and gas reserves of the South-South and expressed the strong conviction that the introduction of fiscal federalism and resource control would encourage each state of the federation to control its resources and develop in accordance with its capability.

In view of the situation in the country, they expressed deep concern at the level of insecurity in some parts of the country and appealed to the Federal Government to continue to explore all avenues to end the indiscriminate and unnecessary destruction of life and property.

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