Governors of South South states yesterday called for the payment of 13 per cent component of the $1billion withdrawn by the federal government from Excess Crude Account (ECA) to buy security equipment.

The governors took the decision at a summit yesterday hosted by Rivers State Governor Nyesom Wike.

In attendance were Governors Ifeayi Okowa (Delta), Seriake Dickson (Bayelsa) and Udom Emmanuel (Akaw Ibom). Edo State Deputy Governor Phillp Shaibu also attended

The communique read by Dickson said: South South Governors Forum supports the clamour for Restructuring, fiscal federalism and devolution of power from the Centre to the federating units.

“The governors said for Nigeria to be stable, peaceful and prosperous, it should be restructured. They vowed to work with like minds to make it a reality

“They also resolved to press for the release to Oil producing states, the 13 per cent derivation component of the $1b withdrawn from Excess Crude Account by the Fed Government to fight insurgency.”

The communique also knocked the Water Ways Bill being sponsored by the Federal Government which empowers the Federal Government to own and control the waterways and their resources and activities.

The forum condemned the bill and called on the Federal Government to do further consultations on it.

The Nation