The Nigerian Senate has passed for the second reading, a bill seeking to establish a development commission for the South-South geopolitical zone.
The bill, sponsored by Senator Asuquo Ekpenyong and 17 other senators, including Senate President Godswill Akpabio, has scaled second reading and is now headed to the Senate Committee on Special Duties for further consideration.
According to Senator Ekpenyong, the proposed commission would address inequality in resource distribution among member states and prioritize regional development over oil revenue allocations. The senator emphasized the need for a separate commission to address the specific developmental challenges of the South-South region, which he said are distinct from those of other regions.
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He noted that while the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) includes other states such as Abia, Imo, and Ondo, these regions now have their own dedicated commissions, diluting the NDDC’s focus and resources on the South-South.
Senator Seriake Dickson, who supported the bill, argued that the NDDC, while serving a broader mandate, lacks the specificity needed to address the South-South’s unique challenges. The proposed commission would be funded by federal allocations, international grants, and developmental partnerships.
In addition to the South-South Commission Bill, the Senate also passed amendments to the North-West and South-East Development Commission Acts.
The amendments, led by Senate Leader Opeyemi Bamidele, sought to resolve issues of geopolitical representation on the commissions’ governing boards and ensure that appointments of managing directors and chairpersons adhere to constitutional requirements.
Senate President Akpabio underscored the importance of these amendments to enhance the efficiency and fairness of development commissions across Nigeria’s regions.
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