The Nigerian Senate has ratified the South Eastern Development Commission SEDC Act. For the third time this week, landmark legislation has been presented to address infrastructure deficiencies and promote growth in the South East region of the country.
The legislation will focus on the long and complex development challenges faced by the region, in particular after the Nigerian Civil War. Funds from the Federation account for reconstruction and rehabilitation of roads, housing or other vital infrastructure damaged as a result of this conflict will be able to be recovered and managed by the Commission.
The passage of the SEDC Bill follows the consideration of a report on the establishment of the commission, presented by Senate Leader, Senator Opeyemi Bamidele. The Deputy Speaker of the House, Rep. Rt. Rev. had already presented it at first. On 21 December 2023, Mr. Benjamin Kalu was unanimously passed by the House. A conference committee shall be set up to settle any differences before the bill is passed by both Houses of Parliament and sent to the President, Bola Ahmed Tinubu for his signature.
Projects and programmes for sustainable development, including transport, health care, education, agriculture and housing, will be designed, planned and implemented by the Commission. In addition, it will cooperate with appropriate stakeholders to deal with issues related to natural resources and the environment, promote sound resource management and ensure accountability for project implementation. The Senate President, Senator Godswill Akpabio has also praised the passage of the bill and emphasised its importance in addressing issues of regional development and national unity.
His words:
It’s a very important bill passed by this 10th Senate, this bill addresses all the fears of our brothers and sisters from the South East.
I want to say congratulations. I pray this commission will bring a lot of development to the South-east and we will assist you to stop any form of agitation and bring peace to your region. When harmonized, it will address the fears of the south-east.”,
