…Via signing South-East Development Commission Bill into law
*Pix below(r-l): PBAT and Deputy Speaker Kanu
The Deputy Speaker of the Houe of Repreentatives, Rt. Hon. Benjamin Okezie Kalu, has deeply appreciated President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for signing the South-East Development Commission (SEDC) Bill into law, yesterday.
Rt Hon Kanu said this is not just a legislative victory but a historic milestone for the South-East geopolitical zone, as the commission, with funds allocation from the Federation Account, will see to the reconstruction and rehabilitation of roads, houses, and other infrastructural damages suffered by the zone as a result of the civil war.
He expressed delight that the commission will also tackle ecological problems and other related environmental or developmental challenges in the South-East States, including Abia, Imo, Enugu, Anambra, and Ebonyi.
Kalu began:
“On behalf of the southeast geopolitical zone of Nigeria, the land of enterprise and entrepreneurship, I wish to express my sincere gratitude to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for signing the South-East Development Commission (SEDC) Bill into law yesterday.
This is not just a legislative victory but a historic milestone for the South-East geopolitical zone. The commission, with funds allocation from the Federation Account will see to the reconstruction and rehabilitation of roads, houses, and other infrastructural damages suffered by the zone as a result of the civil war. It will also tackle ecological problems and other related environmental or developmental challenges in the South-East States, including Abia, Imo, Enugu, Anambra, and Ebonyi.
It is worthy of note that this particular bill failed to be passed into law in the 8th and 9th National Assemblies, but like always, we are relentless in our collective drive for people-centered legislation. As we all know from our history, Nigeria’s transition from the unfortunate civil war exactly 54 years ago was hallmarked by the three “Rs”: Reconciliation, Rehabilitation, and Reconstruction. Nigeria has since carried out reconciliation and rehabilitation, however, this bill being assented to by the President exemplifies the commencement of the complete reconstruction of our beloved South-East.
The passage of this bill is a testament to our collective effort and commitment to rebuilding and revitalizing our beloved region. I am grateful to my colleagues in the National Assembly, to all Nigerians who supported this bill, and most especially, to President Tinubu for his unwavering support and leadership.
I also want to convey the appreciation of all Ndi Igbo (Igbo people) from the South-East zone. This is a momentous occasion, and we are filled with hope and determination. We assure you that this commission will work tirelessly to ensure that the dreams and aspirations of our people are realized. We will continue to push for more positive attention and development for our zone.
This year, in this moment, we are called to reaffirm our values and commitments, to hold them against a hard reality, and see how we are measuring up, to the legacy of our forebearers, and the promise of future generations. And fellow Nigerians – I say to you today: we have more work to do. More to do for the workers who are struggling to find their footing in a rapidly changing economy, more to do for the parents who are struggling to provide for their children, and more to do for the young people who are striving to build a better future.
Aside from our legislative interventions and ongoing hard work in the National Assembly, my colleagues and I from the South-East have set the ball rolling with non-kinetic measures as remediation to the insecurity situation in the region through the Peace in South East Project (PISE-P), a non-governmental special purpose vehicle with the thematic and programmatic leadership needed to execute this flawlessly.
To my fellow South-Easterners, I implore you not to join the planned looming anti-government protests. Instead, let us view the signing of the SEDC bill into law as a testament to the President Bola Ahmed Tinubu administration’s resolve to heal the wounds of the past, bury the rumors of the “marginalization of the South-East geopolitical zone,” and renew the hope of the nation towards equitable economic growth and socio-cultural renewal. This is a time for unity and progress, not division and unrest.
I also implore Nigerians from all walks of life and the entirety of the country to not heed the calls for protest but instead continue to trust in the process. The reforms of the current administration will take time but will soon start to suffice, including a reversal of inflation, stabilization of the economy, and the ensuing multiplier effects in a massive employment boom as a result of industrialization, and the outcomes of the work organizations like the SEDC will engineer.
I therefore urge you to participate more in governance by following the right channels of engagement with your respective state governments and the legislators representing you in the National Assembly and the 36 state Houses of Assembly. It is through active and constructive engagement that we can make our voices heard and drive meaningful change.
As the great Chinua Achebe once said, “A functioning, robust democracy requires a healthy educated, and participatory followership.”
Let us remember that our strength lies in our unity, in our shared dreams, and in our collective efforts. Together, we can build a Nigeria that offers every child a decent shot at life, where the doors of opportunity remain open to all. We know we can do better. And we will.
Thank you, and may God bless the Federal Republic of Nigeria.###
Rt. Hon. Benjamin Okezie Kalu
Deputy Speaker, House of Representatives
