By Tony Ezike
As part of ongoing efforts to strengthen federal collaboration in addressing critical regional challenges, the Director General of the South-East Governors Forum (SEGOF), Senator Uche Ekwunife, CON, recently engaged with key stakeholders in the Federal Government.
Her strategic engagements with top government officials underscored the South-East region’s commitment to optimizing its maritime potential, enhancing transportation infrastructure, and addressing developmental gaps essential for economic transformation.
Senator Ekwunife paid a courtesy visit to the Honourable Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, His Excellency Adegboyega Isiaka Oyetola, CON, former Governor of Osun State. The meeting was necessitated by the urgent need for a comprehensive assessment and strategic utilization of the South-East’s maritime resources and rich mineral deposits.
During the discussions, Senator Ekwunife emphasized the significance of the blue economy as a driver of sustainable growth, improved livelihoods, and job creation. She noted that with oceans and seas covering three-quarters of the earth’s surface, nations that effectively harness their marine resources stand to benefit immensely. Key focus areas included:
Sustainable fish farming and seafood processing to boost food security and exports.
Leveraging water bodies for ecotourism and hospitality, creating employment and revenue streams.
She reiterated that the South-East possesses both the natural and human resources to unlock these opportunities and called for enhanced federal collaboration in developing a framework for implementation.
In a separate engagement, Senator Ekwunife met with Nigeria’s Honourable Minister of Transportation, Senator Sa’id Ahmed Alkali, to deliberate on pressing infrastructural concerns affecting the South-East.
A major point of discussion was the Eastern Narrow-Gauge Railway Project, particularly the need for its full completion and integration across all major South-Eastern cities. While the current phase, covering Port Harcourt to Aba and Aba to Enugu, is critical, she emphasized the necessity of extending the project toward Maiduguri while ensuring seamless connectivity between the South-East’s commercial hubs.
Additionally, discussions covered:
The Nigerian Gas Policy and its implications for the South-East, especially regarding access to federal gas initiatives.
Senator Ekwunife underscored the economic and environmental significance of the Niger River and its Inner Delta, describing them as vital resources for agriculture, fisheries, transportation, energy production, tourism, and water purification. She emphasized that the river could serve multiple purposes, including:
Irrigation and power generation.
Enhancing transportation and commercial activities.
She further noted that the dredging of the River Niger, captured in the proposed 2024 appropriation bill, is a crucial measure to mitigate the perennial flooding caused by the Lagdo Dam in Cameroon. She strongly advocated for its full implementation as a necessary intervention to prevent the yearly displacement of households due to excessive flooding.
Raising concerns over the March 5, 2025, collapse of the Ulasi Bridge at Umunuko, Ukpor, Anambra State, Senator Ekwunife described the incident as a matter of national importance. Given the bridge’s critical role as a trade route, she urged the Federal Government to prioritize its reconstruction to prevent disruptions to economic activities and regional connectivity.
Senator Ekwunife’s engagements with the Federal Government mark a significant step toward securing strategic partnerships for the South-East. By prioritizing blue economy initiatives, transportation infrastructure, and emergency response measures, SEGOF is actively working to position the region for long-term economic growth and infrastructural advancement.
According to Senator Ekwunife, these discussions will be followed up with policy recommendations and collaborative frameworks to ensure effective implementation by the South-East Governors under the pragmatic leadership of the Chairman of SEGOF, His Excellency, Senator Hope Uzodimma, CON.
This coordinated approach reinforces SEGOF’s commitment to driving regional progress through federal collaboration and visionary leadership.
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