The Senate, during its plenary on Thursday, passed the bill that seeks to establish the South-South Development Commission for the second reading months after initially opposing it.
The bill, which was sponsored by Senator Asuquo Ekpenyong (APC, Cross River South) and 17 other senators from the region including the Senate President, Godswill Akpabio, was well received by the lawmakers.
Ekpenyong stated, “Some may ask, isn’t the Niger Delta Development Commission already fulfilling these functions? Distinguished colleagues, let me explain why the proposed South-South Development Commission is both distinct and necessary. The NDDC is a multi-regional body that includes states like Abia and Imo from the Southeast and Ondo from the Southwest.
“However, both of these regions now have their own dedicated development commissions, the Southeast Development Commission and the Southwest Development Commission.
“This setup has diluted the focus and resources of the NDDC, making it less effective in addressing the unique challenges of the South-South.”
He noted, “Another key difference lies in how funds are allocated. The NDDC allocates resources based on oil production, which has led to unequal development, with higher oil-producing states receiving a disproportionate share of resources.
“The South-South Development Commission will ensure equality in resource distribution among member states, focusing on regional development rather than just oil revenue. Funding will come from various streams, including federal allocations, international grants, and developmental partnerships.”
The bill was seconded by Senator Seriake Dickson (PDP, Bayelsa West), who also presented compelling arguments that persuaded senators across party lines and geopolitical zones to support the initiative.
Dickson added, “The NDDC is a resource-based commission that addresses environmental degradation caused by oil exploration across the oil-producing states, covering the South-South, Southeast, and Southwest. Unlike the NDDC, which serves a broader mandate, the South-South Development Commission will specifically target the developmental, economic, and ecological challenges facing the South-South region.”
Following unanimous support from senators, Akpabio referred the legislative proposal to the Senate Committee on Special Duties for further review, requesting a report within one week.
In addition to the South-South Development Commission Bill, the Senate also passed amendments to the Northwest and Southeast Development Commission Acts concerning the positions of Managing Director and Chairman.
Leading the debate, Senate Leader Opeyemi Bamidele explained that the amendment to the Northwest Development Commission Act, 2024, seeks to provide geopolitical representation on the commission’s governing board.
It also aims to resolve the issue of appointing the Chairman and Managing Director from the same state and ensures that these appointments are subject to Senate confirmation, in line with the Nigerian Constitution.
Bamidele gave similar justifications for amending the Southeast Development Commission Act, emphasising the need for proper representation across geopolitical zones.
Akpabio, in his remarks, stated that the amendments were necessary to ensure the smooth operation of development commissions across the regions.
