Reported by: Ime Richard Aondofa | Edited by: Henry Owen
The President of the Senate, Senator Godswill Akpabio, has urged the leadership of the newly established South South Development Commission (SSDC) to embark on projects that will make a measurable difference in the lives of people across the region.
Senator Akpabio gave the charge when the board and management of the Commission paid him a courtesy visit in Abuja. He emphasized that the SSDC must align its programmes and interventions with President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda, which prioritizes economic inclusion, infrastructure development, and social welfare.
According to Akpabio, the creation of the Commission represents a crucial opportunity to correct years of neglect and underdevelopment in the South South region, a zone rich in natural resources but often plagued by environmental degradation and limited access to basic infrastructure.
“The SSDC must not become another bureaucratic institution,” he cautioned. “Its purpose is to deliver real change — roads, schools, healthcare, youth empowerment, and economic opportunities that touch the lives of ordinary people.”
The Senate President reaffirmed the National Assembly’s commitment to ensuring adequate funding and legislative support for the Commission to effectively carry out its mandate. He noted that the success of the SSDC would depend on transparency, accountability, and strategic partnerships with both public and private sector actors.
In his remarks, the Chairman of the Commission, Prince Chibudom Nwuche, expressed appreciation to the Senate President for his pivotal role in the establishment of the SSDC, describing Akpabio’s leadership as “instrumental in giving the South South region a new voice in national development.”
Nwuche assured that the Commission would pursue programmes that promote sustainable growth, environmental restoration, and community empowerment. “Our focus will be on projects that have lasting impact — not token gestures, but investments that strengthen the region’s economic foundation,” he said.
The Managing Director of the Commission, Ms. Usoro Akpabio, also pledged that the SSDC under her watch would adopt a people-centred approach in project selection and implementation. She highlighted the Commission’s intention to collaborate closely with state governments, traditional rulers, and community leaders to identify priority areas that reflect the needs of local populations.
The visit, which marked the SSDC’s first official engagement with the leadership of the National Assembly, symbolized the beginning of what stakeholders described as a “new chapter” for the South South region — one focused on inclusive growth, environmental rehabilitation, and social progress.
Senator Akpabio concluded by encouraging the board to maintain integrity and vision in their operations, reminding them that the credibility of the Commission will depend on the tangible results it delivers to the people.
📩 Stone Reporters News | 🌍 stonereportersnews.com | ✉️ info@stonereportersnews.com
📘 Facebook: Stone Reporters | 🐦 X (Twitter): @StoneReportNew
Add comment
Comments