By Ikenna Nwokedi
The Distinguished Senator represented Anambra South Senatorial District, Senator Dr. Ifeanyi Patrick Ubah, CON, has eulogized and expressed his heartfelt appreciation to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for signing the Southeast Development Commission (SEDC) bill into law.
In a statement made available to the media through his Special Adviser, Media and Strategic Communications, Kamen Chuks Ogbonna, Senator Ubah praised the President’s commitment to addressing the region’s development challenges and fostering unity. The federal lawmaker noted that the passage of the bill marks the culmination of the Southeast’s tireless efforts as championed by the Senator and other lawmakers to establish a development commission that will address the region’s critical needs.
Senator Ubah highlighted that the bill’s signing reverses the disappointment caused by former President Mohammed Buhari’s denial of assent, which had reinforced feelings of injustice and hindered the party’s progress in the region. He also commended President Tinubu for paving the way for meaningful collaboration between the Southeast and the federal government which will propel the region’s growth and prosperity.
Ubah had hitherto addressed the media after the bill scaled first reading on the 4th of October 2023, after the former President, Buhari, denied assent to the initial version said:
“On Wednesday, 4th October 2023, at plenary, the Southeast Development Commission (Establishment) Bill, 2023 (SB.129) which was sponsored by me passed the First Reading. It should be noted that the earlier version of the Bill was denied presidential assent by the past administration and that motivated me to introduce a fresh version of it with provisions that will convince the Senate and the President to support it and sign it into law respectively.
“This fresh version of the Bill is aimed to establish a Commission that will focus on the development of the Southeast region of Nigeria which has been historically marginalized and has faced various challenges in terms of infrastructure, healthcare, and economic development”, He said.
The Southeast Development Commission Bill aims to establish a commission responsible for managing funds allocated from the Federation Account for the reconstruction and rehabilitation of roads, houses and other infrastructural damage suffered by the region due to the civil war.
The commission will also tackle ecological problems and related environmental or developmental challenges in Abia, Imo, Enugu, Anambra and Ebonyi States.
