Lagos — For a region disturbed by unrest and mutual distrust, the decision by the South-South governors to organise a seminal regional summit, which recently held in Calabar, in search for solutions to their common is commendable.

With similar physical and socio-economic challenges, it was strange for such a forum to have been delayed this much. The idea of waiting for the Federal Government to convene a summit on the challenges of the region was rather unfortunate, considering that the leaders of the region have the resources to do same. But we have always believed that it is better late than never.

For those concerned about the problems of the Niger-Delta, it is encouraging that all the governors of the region are wholly agreed on the need to find a common regional solution to the problems facing them.

The invitation to the former Prime Minister of Ireland, Mr. Bertie Ahern, whose country faced and overcame similar challenges, to share experiences and offer tips on how to resolve the Niger Delta problems is also thoughtful and strategic. Indeed, the strategies recommended by Bertie Ahern for the resolution of the Niger Delta crises are very telling and it is hoped that the summiteers would find use for them.

In determination to collectively tackle the problems of the region, particularly youth unemployment, the governors have agreed to float an airline. Although we believe that if well managed, the proposed airline business could be a money-spinning venture for the region, we wonder if such an idea is not elitist and a misplaced priority.

As the state governments would have known, what is urgently needed in the region is massive infrastructural development that can significantly rekindle the confidence of the people in the state.

More than airline business, development of infrastructure is bound to provide more jobs and also improve the living standards of the various communities in the region. Building the infrastructural base of the region is bound to touch more lives and calm frayed nerves.

It is only when there is an appreciable degree of peace that the much-talked about private sector participation can be effective and rewarding. President Umaru Musa Yar'Adua's speech at the summit got it quite right when he stressed that "in pursuit of our economic regeneration goals, we must continue to stimulate the appropriate infrastructural, social and political environment for the private sector to thrive through the pursuit of macro-economic and structural reforms and the entrenchment of transparent, consistent, stable and predictable policies,"

But more than that, there is the fear about the actualisation of the resolutions of the summit. Oftentimes, the noble ideas canvassed at such fora die with the euphoria that launched them. They are hardly followed up thereafter. We recall, for instance, that the region's governors had, between 1999 and 2003, had planned a collective business venture called BEDROCK Oil and Gas Investment. The project never got even to the drawing board.

It is noteworthy also that none of the former governors in the region was at the summit. Needless to observe that as leaders in the zone too, the former governors need to be carried along if only to share their experiences. The age of mutual suspicion and distrust must give way to regional affinity, brotherhood and pursuit of common goals.

Similarly, while we believe that the region could do with more funds, given the enormous environmental and infrastructural challenges it is facing, the governors must also demonstrate prudent management of the funds at their disposal now to at least disprove the belief in some quarters that the region is "an area that lacks the capacity to use even its resources".

All said, the fire of regional co-operation kindled by the South-South summit must not be allowed to die. It must be kept aglow, and the only way to achieve this is the sincerity of all stakeholders-the governors and the governed. The ideas have been baked; it is time to walk the talk.