The Senate has stepped down a bill seeking to establish the South-South Development Commission.
The bill, sponsored by Senator Asuquo Ekpeyong representing Cross River South, failed to pass second reading after a voice vote, as lawmakers unanimously declined to support it.
The bill, co-sponsored by all South-South senators, was stepped down to address concerns that the proposed commission would duplicate the functions of the existing Niger Delta Development Commission, NDDC, leading to a waste of resources and unnecessary overlap.
In his contribution, Senator Adamu Alliero stated that in 2007, under the administration of Musa Yar’Adua, the Ministry of Niger Delta Affairs was established to provide infrastructure and development in the region, in addition to the existing NDDC.
He views the creation of another commission as a duplication of efforts and overlapping functions, which is unacceptable in parliamentary practice.
He suggests that the sponsor should introduce an amendment bill to modify the existing commission rather than establishing a new one, which would be a waste of resources and make the National Assembly appear incompetent.
The sponsor, in his lead debate, explained that the South-South Development Commission will be responsible for managing funds from the Federation Account allocation, as well as donations, grants, and aids from other sources.
He added that The commission will address infrastructural deficits, militancy, communal crises, ecological and environmental problems in the region.
The commission’s goal according to Ekpeyong is to bridge the developmental gap in the South-South region and enhance the quality of life for its citizens.
The Senate passed the bill establishing the South-East Development Commission in February. It also passed the North-West Development Commission Bill in May and North-Central Development Commission
(Editor: Terverr Tyav)
