The Nigerian Senate has approved a Bill for the establishment of a South-South Development Commission with all the Senators unanimously supporting the proposed legislation.
The Bill sponsored by Asuquo Ekpenyong from Cross River South District and co-sponsored by all the South-South Senators, seeks to cater for the peculiar needs, challenges and aspirations of the States within the South-South geo-political zone of Nigeria.
Ekpenyong in his lead debate, dismissed the argument that the Niger-Delta Development Commission (NDDC) is already taking care of the develoomental needs of the South-South States.
He stressed that the NDDC is not exclusively dedicated to the South-South region as its membership includes States outside of the region like Imo, Abia and Ondo States.
Senator Seriake Dickson in his contribution, emphasized that the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) is not geopolitical, but rather a resource-based Commission established to address crises in oil-producing communities.
He added that its membership extends beyond the South-South region to include the South West and South East.
MUST READ:Senate Approves Creation of South West Development Commission
He argued that the Commission’s purpose is to manage issues arising from oil production, replacing the scrapped OMPADEC agency.
Dickson suggested that other oil-producing States should be considered for inclusion, promoting equity and parity.
Senator Seriake Dickson argued further that the NDDC is similar in status to the National Hydroelectric Power Producing Areas Development Commission (N-HYPPADEC), charged with the responsibility of managing the ecological menace to the operation of dams in affected States in the Northern part of the country.
Senator Sumaila Kawu emphasized that the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) serves not only the Niger Delta people but also extends its services to other parts of the region, including Ondo, Imo, and Abia.
Senator Orji Kalu pointed out the harsh realities faced by the South-South region, where oil production has devastating environmental consequences.
He noted that the area struggles with access to potable water and arable farmland, making life challenging for the local communities.
Senator Ede Dafinone shed light on the resource allocation process under the NNDC orogtamme, explaining that funds are distributed based on the quantity of oil produced in each Local Government Area of NDDC member States.
After an elaborate debate, the Senate considered and passed for Second reading the Bill that seeks to establish the South-South Development Commission.
Earlier, in his lead debate, Senator Asuquo Ekpenyong explained that the SSDC speaks to the heart of development in the region as it would attend to the peculiar infrastructure deficit, militancy as well as environmental degradation in the region.
ait.live reports that the Senate had already passed the South East, North West, and the North Central
Development Commissions.
(Editor: Ken Eseni)
