Southeast Development Commission Bill Sent to President Tinubu for Assent

The National Assembly is set to transmit the Southeast Development Commission (SEDC) Bill to President Bola Tinubu for his assent. This follows the adoption of the conference report by the Senate yesterday.

The bill’s advancement came after the Senate’s plenary session, where the Chair of the Senate Committee on Judiciary, Human Rights, and Legal Matters, Mohammed Monguno (APC, Borno North), presented the conference committee’s report. The Senate had previously read the bill for the third time and passed it on February 22.

The SEDC Bill aims to establish a commission dedicated to managing infrastructural development in Nigeria’s Southeast region. This includes the construction and rehabilitation of roads, houses, and other critical infrastructure.

Notably, the bill to establish the commission was initially passed by the Eighth Senate but did not receive assent from former President Muhammadu Buhari. The bill was reintroduced last year by House of Representatives Deputy Speaker, Benjamin Kalu, alongside other lawmakers from the Southeast.

The move has garnered widespread attention, with various coalitions and think tanks expressing their support for President Tinubu’s ongoing efforts in different sectors. The Arewa Think Tank recently backed Tinubu’s push for local government autonomy, while another coalition praised efforts to maintain peace in the Niger Delta and improve oil output.

As the nation awaits President Tinubu’s decision, the SEDC Bill represents a pivotal step towards enhancing development and addressing infrastructural challenges in the Southeast region.