By Ejike Anyaduba
Since the end of the Nigeria –
Biafra war of 1967-1970, not much government development is evident in the
geopolitical space called the Southeast region of Nigeria. Efforts to mitigate
the devastation of the 30-month war in the region, where most of the fighting
took place, were not helped by the thoughtful but poorly executed policy of
reconciliation, reconstruction and rehabilitation of the Gowon-led federal
government.
The dead hand of bureaucracy
and the corruptive influences of successive governments ensured that no
appreciable progress was made. But where it was made at all, which was few and
far between, it was soon neglected and allowed to go into disuse. Not long
before, the people began to interpret the government's actions as a deliberate
attempt to deprive them of the right to equal citizenship with the rest of
Nigerians and keep them in servile fearfulness.
Thus, establishing the SouthEast Development Commission (SEDC) is a welcome break after years of
importunity. Among other objectives, the Commission will address the noticeable
development imbalance in the South East region, assuage the people's fear of
marginalisation, and ensure peace.
Underscoring the Commission's
roles, the Senate president, Godswill Akpabio, said after passing the bill: “I
want to say congratulations to you all and pray that this Commission will bring
a lot of development and will also assist you in stopping any formal agitation
and bringing peace to the region.”
It may be fair to argue that
the effort at establishing the South East Development Commission was a tortuous
one which predates the 10th National Assembly. Many law makers from the South
East region, including Hon. Ifeanyichukwu Ibezi had duringthe 9th Assembly
tried to get the SEDC bill passed. The argument has been that a development
commission in the nature of the Niger Delta and North East Commissions which
address issues of militancy and terrorism respectively was required in the
South East to help her develop and recover from the ruins of the civil war.
But the efforts were not
rewarded as former President Muhammadu Buhari failed to assent to the bill. It
took its reintroduction in December 2023 by Hon. Benjamin Kalu, the Deputy
Speaker House of Representatives, Senator Stella Oduah, and a few other law makers
from the South East for the bill to be passed and assented to by President
Ahmed Bola Tinubu. No doubt the Tinubu administration demonstrated deep
economic knowledge that contrast with the tunnel vision of his predecessor who
did not see the great promise an established South East Development Commission
holds.
For rising to the occasion, and
signing the South-East Development Bill into law, the South-East Governors,
Ohanaeze Ndigbo and other stakeholders have lauded President Tinubu for his
great decision.
Hon Ifeanyichukwu Ibezi in
particular thanked President Tinubu, for his thoughtfulness in signing the bill
into law and ending decades of yearning for a commission that will oversee
development in the South East region. "President Tinubu has shown thoughtfulness
and courage in signing the SEDC Bill into law. He has done what those before
him were unable to do and I pray the
Commission is adequately funded so as to enable it tackle the enormous
challenge before it".
The Commission which is to
oversee and handle development projects in the South East region is structured
to be managed by a comprehensive board, comprising credible and experienced
individuals appointed by the government. Its source of funding may include, but
not limited to federal allocation grants, donations and other legitimate
avenues.
It is expected to plan, execute
and monitor developmental projects as well as collaborate with state and local
government within the South East region for ease of growth expansion. The bill
establishing the Commission envisaged possible corruption and misuse of funds
thereby ensuring that there is provision for transparency and accountability in
its operations.
Though the Commission is still
in its infancy and can seldom boast of any experience unlike similar commission
already in existence namely the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC), it
is expected to be purpose-driven and diligent if it must accomplish its many
objectives. As a matter of fact, infrastructural expansion, economic growth,
social and equitable development are some of the core objectives the Commission
is to tackle. Without belabouring the fact, federal infrastructure in the South
East like roads, bridges, healthcare facilities, and educational institutions
etc. is about the worse, if not the worst, in the country.
The many years of neglect have left them in
decrepit condition, leaving the people frustrated and the youths easily
inflamed to passionate agitation and occasional armed struggle. Economic growth
of the region was not better handled as few federal government industries in
the region are under-performing or completely moribund. It is expected that the
South East Development Commission will stimulate economic activities by
addressing obvious historical neglects and disparities and by also improving
the quality of life of the people through enhanced social amenities and
services. The Commission is to take into
consideration the inequitable development across Nigeria by focusing on
achieving balance in the region within its period of operation.
The Commission is also
empowered to tackle the ecological and other related environmental problem
ravaging the entire region. It is to be noted that a good chunk of the South
East region which by the way is almost the smallest in the country is under
threat of gully erosion. Many people have in the last decade or two been forced
out of their ancestral homes as a result of this hazard. It is obvious that the efforts of the five
governors of the region alone in contending with the problem cannot suffice
without support from the federal government.
But with the South East
Development Commission in place, it is easy to focus on comprehensive
development plan that will tackle the ecological hazard and handle rural and
urban development in the region better. This will help unlock the region’s
potentials and impact the overall growth of Nigeria’s economy.
The Commission is more likely
to succeed than not if the pioneer managers are diligent enough, and are ready
to eschew selfishness and work for economic liberation of the South East. It
can leverage the business prowess of the people, their agricultural and
entrepreneurial skills to give industrialization of the region a shot in the
arm. But more than that, the Commission will succeed if it is well funded and
not abandoned soon after being established.
Once it is well funded and
measures put in place to ensure accountability, South East development is
assured and the cry of marginalization a thing of the past. It is a new dawn
for economic expansion of the South East region.
Ejike Anyaduba writes from
Abatete
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