The signing of the South-East Development Commission (SEDC) Bill into law yesterday sparked excitement among Igbo leaders, who described it as a crucial milestone in tackling the region’s persistent marginalization>>>CONTINUE FULL READING HERE....CONTINUE READING THE ARTICLE FROM THE SOURCE
According to the Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Rep. Benjamin Kalu, Imo State Governor Hope Uzodimma, and Ohanaeze Ndigbo Worldwide, the President has made history by succeeding where his predecessors failed.
Kalu noted that with the development, President Bola Tinubu has successfully addressed the perceived post-civil war neglect of the region.
During a media briefing, Kalu, who championed the bill, highlighted that despite numerous attempts over the past 54 years since the Civil War, no government had successfully executed the critical post-war rehabilitation, reconstruction, and reconciliation agenda, until now.
He praised Tinubu for accomplishing in just one year what the Southeast region had been denied during the People’s Democratic Party’s (PDP) prolonged period of dominance, spanning several years.
Kalu highlighted the significance of Tinubu’s move, considering the Southeast region gave him the lowest number of votes in the 2023 general election.
The commission’s establishment is expected to spearhead efforts to rebuild, revitalise, and tackle the region’s environmental and development challenges.
Presidential spokesman Ajuri Ngelale, said: “The SEDC is established to ensure the reconstruction and rehabilitation of roads, houses, and other infrastructural damages suffered by the zone, as well as tackle ecological problems, and other related environmental or development issues.
“President Tinubu believes in building the nation on the fulcrum of fairness, equity, and unity; hence, he is committed to ensuring equitable development, inclusive governance, and the provision of qualitative services to all Nigerians – no matter where they reside, while knitting even more tightly together the national fabric.”
Kalu revealed that he had a conversation with Mazi. Nnamdi Kanu, the leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), expressed optimism that the SEDC could help alleviate some of the grievances that fueled the secessionist movement.
Kalu added: “It is not just a legislative victory; it is a historic milestone for the Southeast geopolitical zone.
“The commission will receive and manage funds from the allocation of the Federation Account for the reconstruction and rehabilitation of roads, houses, and other infrastructural damages suffered by the zone as a result of the civil war.
“It will also tackle ecological problems and other related environmental or developmental challenges in the Southeast states, including Abia, Imo, Enugu, Anambra, and Ebonyi.
“This particular bill failed to be passed into law in the eighth and ninth National Assemblies, but like always, we are relentless in our collective drive for people-centred legislation.
“Instead, let us view the signing of the SEDC bill into law as a testament to the Tinubu Administration’s resolve to heal the wounds of the past and bury the rumours of the marginalisation of the Southeast geopolitical zone.”
The news was met with unbridled joy and relief by Ohanaeze Ndigbo Worldwide, which characterized the commission’s establishment as a monumental stride, a beacon of renewed hope, and a vital component of a fresh start ushered in by Tinubu.
The National Publicity Secretary, Dr. Alex Ogbonnia, released a statement in which Ohanaeze Ndigbo Worldwide’s President General, Chief Emmanuel Iwuanyanwu, expressed his utmost delight and profound appreciation towards Tinubu.
Ohanaeze commended Kalu and the co-sponsors of the all-important bill for their roles.
The organisation said: “The SEDC is expected to manage funds allocated from the Federation Account for the reconstruction and rehabilitation of roads, and other infrastructural deficits suffered by the region due to age-long neglect.
“The SEDC will go a long way to assuage the feelings of the Igbo with respect to the 3R sophistry by General Yakubu Gowon in January 1970.
“Gowon had assured the world that there would be three Rs: Reconciliation, Rehabilitation and Reconstruction of the Igboland as a result of war ravages.
“But 54 years after the war, the Southeast has witnessed the direct opposite of the 3Rs, even in exponential proportion.
“For instance, the Southeast has the least number of local government areas, the least number of states, the least in political appointments, the least members in the House of Representatives, the least in the Senate, and of course the worst in infrastructure.
“The foregoing structures are the federal allocation tributaries that have enlarged the coast of other geopolitical zones, leaving the Southeast of Nigeria in the cold.
“No one should, therefore, look elsewhere in the search for the persistent youth restiveness and secessionist agitations in the region.”
The group expressed optimism that the newly established commission would also facilitate the creation of a unified and centralized security framework in the region, a long-standing need.
The organization also noted that this development comes on the heels of the Federal Government’s recent announcement, made by Minister of Works Engr. David Umahi in Abikiliki, to construct a 477-kilometre, six-lane superhighway connecting Abakiliki, Enugu, Nsukka, and Abuja.
They said: “As it stands, President Tinubu has shown a major departure from the Buhari regime by signing the SEDC Bill into law, appointing Sen. Umahi, a brilliant and prudent engineer, as the Minister for Works, and Vice Admiral Emmanuel Ogalla as the Chief of the Naval Staff.
“This is a quantum leap and a new beginning.”
Former Senate President Anyim Pius Anyim accompanied Imo State Governor Hope Uzodimma on a visit to the President, where he expressed his warm welcome and support for the passage of the South-East Development Commission (SEDC) bill.
The governor said: “We used the opportunity to commend and thank him for signing into law the SEDC Bill.
“If you recall, that bill has been there for the past, God knows. Attempts to pass that bill three times failed. But under his watch, it has become law.
“This means he has been listening to the cries of the people of Southeast. The Southeast Governors Forum, of which I am the Chairman, is indeed very grateful.
“We’re very happy. It means that the neglect we have been crying about for a very long time is being addressed now by the national government.
“So, we owe all this glory to Almighty God and to Mr. President for being able to do this justice to our people>>>CONTINUE FULL READING HERE
