Reported by: Ijeoma G | Edited by: Oravbiere Osayomore Promise.
Bayelsa State Governor, Senator Douye Diri, on Wednesday, July 1, 2026, played host to the Board and Management staff of the South-South Development Commission (SSDC) at Government House in Yenagoa, assuring the team of his administration's full collaboration and partnership as the commission begins its historic journey.
The SSDC delegation was led by its Chairman, Rt. Hon. Chibudom Nwuche, a former Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, and the Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer, Ms. Usoro Akpabio, a seasoned energy and public sector professional with over 17 years of experience. The visit marked a significant step in the commission's engagement with the six states of the South-South region, as it seeks to lay a solid foundation for equitable and impactful development.
Welcoming the delegation, Governor Diri congratulated the members of the pioneer board on their appointment and acknowledged the heavy responsibility history had placed on their shoulders. He expressed confidence that the commission would succeed in its mandate, urging the team to lay a very solid foundation for the zone.
Governor Diri emphasised that the success of the South-South Development Commission depends largely on its ability to work closely with the state governments. "I encourage you to work closely with the six state governments of the South-South region," he said. "From Cross River to Edo, our region is the same, with similar challenges, so there is so much that we can gain when we work together, and together, we can ensure that the commission delivers interventions that are equitable, impactful and responsive to the aspirations of our people."
The governor assured the board of the Bayelsa State Government's unwavering support, stating that his administration is ready to partner with the commission in pursuit of the prosperity of the state and the entire region. "I assure of the support of the Bayelsa State government. We shall partner with you in pursuit of the prosperity of our state and indeed, our region," he declared.
The visit comes at a crucial time for the South-South region, which has long sought a dedicated development intervention agency to complement the efforts of the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC). The South-South Development Commission, established by an Act of the National Assembly, is designed to drive sustainable development, address infrastructural deficits, and foster economic growth across the six states of the region.
The Chairman of the SSDC, Rt. Hon. Chibudom Nwuche, and the Managing Director, Ms. Usoro Akpabio, have previously outlined a governance framework built uncompromisingly on integrity, collaboration, and urgent action. Their visit to Bayelsa marks the beginning of a series of engagements with the region's governors to align the commission's priorities with the developmental aspirations of the states.
Governor Diri's welcoming remarks highlight the importance of synergy between state and regional development agencies. His call for collaboration echoes his earlier advocacy for the South-South Governors' Forum to work closely with interventionist agencies to attract investments and drive growth. As the SSDC embarks on its mission to transform the region, the governor's assurance of support signals a promising partnership that could deliver lasting benefits to the people of the South-South.
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