…as South-east, South-west, North-central development commissions scale second reading
OSAS EMMANUEL
ABUJA, Nigeria – The Senate has mulled setting developmental pace at regional levels, as bills seeking establishment of South East, South West and North Central development commissions, on Wednesday passed second reading during plenary.
The Senate, had last week, passed for a second reading, the bill for an Act to establish the North West Development Commission (NWDC).
Agitations for establishment of development commissions at geopolitical level followed the establishment of the Niger Delta Development Commission and the North East Development Commission as purpose vehicles for socio- economic and infrastructural reformation of the two zones.
During Wednesday’s plenary, Michael Opeyemi Bamidele, the Senate Leader and Senator representing Ekiti Central, presented the Bill for an Act to establish the South-East Development Commission, to act as catalyst to develop the commercial potentials of the South East and for other connected matters, 2024 (HB.626) for concurrence and second reading
The House of Representatives had in December, 2023 passed the long-awaited bill after years of agitation and attempts at the National Assembly. It was passed by the 8th Senate but did not receive by former President Muhammadu Buhari.
The Bill to establish the South West Development Commission was sponsored by Senator Gbenga Daniel, representing Ogun East Senatorial District.
According to him, the commission, if established, will be charged with the responsibility, among others, to receive and manage funds from allocation of the Federation account, including donating gifts, for the restructuring and rehabilitation of infrastructural damages suffered by the region. It wil also tackle ecological, environmental and other developmental challenges.
Daniel disclosed that the commission has a financial implication of N1.5 billion.
In the same manner, the Bill for an Act to establish the North Central Development Commission was sponsored by Musa Sani, Senator representing Niger East, and Abba Morro, Senator representing Benue South.
The Commission, if established, will serve as catalyst to develop the arrays of potentials in the north central as well as address the gap in infrastructural development of the region.
Senate President Godswill Akpabio applauded his colleagues for the bills noting that they are important in ameliorating the sufferings of Nigerians, by improving their standard of living.
He noted that the development of any part of Nigeria means the development of the entire country.
The bills were put to voice votes, and lawmakers voted that they should be read for the second time.
