Victor EzejaLawmaker representing Anambra Central Senatorial district in the National Assembly, Senator Victor Umeh, has emphasised the need for proper utilisation of funds earmarked for development projects by regional development commissions.
Umeh charged those entrusted with the leadership of the South-east Development Commission (SEDC) to ensure proper utilisation of funds allocated to the Commission for development projects in the region.
Join our WhatsApp ChannelSpeaking in an interview with Channels Television, Senator Umeh said the people of the South-east geo-political zone who have experienced marginalisation over the years, are eager to see the Commission deploy funds allocated to it for the execution of development projects that have not received deserved attention from the Federal Government for decades.
Umeh, who is also chairman, Senate Committee on National Identity and National Population, explained the purpose of creating the SEDC.
According to him, the push for the creation of SEDC was driven by the need to close the gap in infrastructural development of the South-east zone since the civil war ended in 1970.
He said the military Head of State when the war ended, General Yakubu Gowon, had promised Southeastern zone rehabilitation, reconstruction, and restitution/reconciliation but it has not been fulfilled.
He said: “From 1970 till now is 55 years since the war ended. The region has been very badly marginalised in terms of infrastructural development by successive military regimes and civilian administrations. In terms of provision of infrastructure, the latitude is very wide on what the Commission can pursue.”
READ ALSO: South-east Nigeria’s Gas Pipeline Exclusion: A Legacy Of Marginalisation
The lawmaker stressed that the Commission “will serve as a springboard to bring the five states of the South-east zone together; pool their resources together to pursue projects of common interest that will traverse the five states in the zone.”
“So, it was a very great thing that happened, greatly applauded by our people and welcomed with so much expectations and hope,” he added.
He said as soon as SEDC was passed, other zones brought their bills which have been passed.
Umeh said the request for the creation of SEDC had been made in the past and was turned down, but lawmakers from the zone kept pushing until the bill was finally considered and passed.
Nigerian Govt Allocated N354bn To SEDC In 2025 Budget
Umeh revealed that the Federal Government allocated N354 billion to SEDC in the 2025 budget. He emphasised that the money would go a long way in addressing infrastructural challenges in the region if properly utilised.
“It is a first-line charge. N354 billion will go to the South-east Development Commission. Any serious commission would be able to do a lot for the people with that money irrespective of what other zones get,” Umeh stated.
He added that because Northwest has seven states, the provision for the Northwest Development Commission in the 2025 budget is about N590 billion, but irrespective of what each regional commission gets as allocation in the budget, what is important in the end is how it was used in projects and the impact on the lives of the people.
READ ALSO: Senate Confirms Mark Okoye, Nworgu, Okonkwo, Others For SEDC, NWDC
He said it behoves on people running those commissions to use the funds judiciously for the purpose they were appropriated to tackle developmental issues.
“It is not a question of who has one trillion naira but a matter of how they channel those resources in tackling the infrastructure deficits in their geo-political zones. Like South-east, our people are very hungry and very expectant that those things that have not received requisite attention from the Federal Government, that this Commission with this money will not have any excuse to give them.”
He acknowledged that some of the development commissions established in the past including the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC), have not been able to achieve its purpose because of politics played by stakeholders managing the affairs of the commission since its establishment.
He observed that challenges of not meeting expectations arise when people managing the commissions are appointed by politicians based on political considerations other than merit.
Umeh said those appointed as leaders of SEDC would be held responsible if they don’t meet their expectations.
“Our people will hold them squarely responsible if they don’t meet their expectations in terms of the funds that would come there. We know the pains of our people and those who would manage the affairs would be put on their toes because we cannot stay by and the opportunity again.
“One year N354 billion, we need to see concrete achievement. our eyes are open, the various groups in the South-east would want to know what would be happening in the commission,” Umeh stated.
He further stated that the SEDC funds are not going to be under the control of any state governor with a certain level of immunity who would spend it the way they like.
Commenting on the leadership of SEDC, Umeh said the people appointed to steer the ship of the commission are credible. “The managing director (Mr Mark Okoye), for instance, is a young man who has attended the best of schools, and has been involved in the development programmes of Anambra State.”
He added that other members of the SEDC board are people they can hold accountable.
Victor Ezeja is a passionate journalist with six years of experience writing on economy, politics and energy. He holds a Masters degree in Mass Communication.
