Senators Back Bill For South-South Development Commission

The Nigerian Senate on Thursday passed the second reading of a bill to establish the South-South Development Commission.

Sponsored by Senator Ekpeyong Asuquo (Cross River South), the bill had been rejected by the House three months ago, with lawmakers arguing that it duplicated the role of the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC).

Warri Sentinel gathered that the proposed commission would receive and manage funds from the Federation Account, as well as other sources like donations, grants, and aid. These resources would be used to promote integration, resolve infrastructure deficits, address militancy and communal crises, and tackle ecological and environmental challenges.

Senator Seriake Dickson (Bayelsa Central), speaking in support of the bill, argued that the South-South Development Commission, if approved, would drive development in the region. He stated that the new commission would be different from the NDDC, which some lawmakers compared it to.

Senator Dickson explained that the NDDC is a resource-based commission, as only states with oil could benefit from certain percentages of oil production. He argued that the new commission would focus on broader development, not just resource allocation.

Nearly 10 Senators have supported the bill, emphasizing that, unlike the NDDC’s resource-based model, it would focus on regional development.