Southeast Governors, Leaders Criticized for Lack of Support for South East Development Commission

Elder statesman Charles Ogbonnaya has voiced his concern over the perceived lack of support from governors and political leaders in the southeastern region of Nigeria for the launch of the South East Development Commission (SEDC). According to Ogbonnaya, the commission represents a critical step towards rebuilding and revitalizing the region.

Ogbonnaya, a former two-time commissioner and former Deputy Chief of Staff to the Abia State Governor, shared his views with journalists during a recent interview in Umuahia. He indicated that despite the passage of the SEDC Bill in the House of Representatives, sponsored by Deputy Speaker Benjamin Kalu, the response from southeastern political leaders has been disappointingly lukewarm.

“Given the developmental challenges in the southeast, particularly in road infrastructure, the commission is a necessary catalyst for rapid improvement in development,” Ogbonnaya explained. He emphasized that the philosophy behind the SEDC aligns with the development agenda of the late Dr. Michael Okpara, as outlined in the document establishing the Eastern Nigeria Development Corporation (ENDC).

Ogbonnaya noted that during Dr. Okpara’s leadership, the ENDC played a pivotal role in the establishment of cocoa farms, rubber and palm plantations, Metropolitan Hotel in Calabar, Presidential Hotel in Enugu and Port Harcourt, and the Golden Guinea Breweries, among other key industries.

“The commission needs massive support from political leaders in the southeast to make a meaningful impact. There should be a partnership between the federal government and South East states to fund the rebuilding of the region’s infrastructure,” he added.

Ogbonnaya urged leaders from the region to unite in support of the SEDC, emphasizing the unique opportunity presented by the passage of the bill. “Hon. Benjamin Kalu has given us a golden opportunity to rebuild the southeast, which was ravaged by the civil war. It’s up to all of us to come together to ensure that the federal government does the needful,” he concluded.

The elder statesman’s call to action highlights the urgency and necessity of strong political backing for the successful implementation of the South East Development Commission, as the region looks to overcome the lingering effects of the civil war and address its developmental challenges.