President Bola Tinubu has signed into law two pivotal bills aimed at accelerating development in Nigeria’s North-West and South-East geo-political zones.
Presidential spokesperson, Ajuri Ngelale, confirmed in a statement issued Wednesday that the President has assented to the North-West Development Commission (Establishment) Bill, 2024, and the South-East Development Commission (Establishment) Bill, 2023.
These legislative moves are set to address longstanding developmental disparities and foster inclusive growth in the two regions. The establishment of these commissions is intended to facilitate the reconstruction of critical infrastructure, tackle ecological challenges, and promote socio-economic development.
The North-West Development Commission (NWDC) will focus on rebuilding roads, houses, and business premises that have been ravaged by various crises. The Commission will also address issues such as poverty, illiteracy, and environmental degradation in the North-West states.
Similarly, the South-East Development Commission (SEDC) will work on the reconstruction and rehabilitation of roads, houses, and other infrastructures that have been damaged over the years. The SEDC is also tasked with addressing ecological problems and other development challenges in the South-East states.
The signing of the SEDC Bill has been met with significant acclaim, particularly from the Ohanaeze Ndigbo Youth Wing. The acting National Youth Leader of Ohanaeze Ndigbo Worldwide, Mazi Chukwuma Okpalaezeukwu, expressed profound appreciation for the President’s action.
In a statement on Wednesday, Okpalaezeukwu highlighted that President Tinubu has taken a monumental step towards ending the historical marginalization of the Igbo people.
He recalled that the Nigeria/Biafra Civil War concluded with a treaty emphasizing Reconciliation, Rehabilitation, and Reconstruction, but lamented that successive federal governments had neglected this commitment since 1970, leading to renewed agitations for Biafra.
President Tinubu, through these bills, has demonstrated his commitment to equitable development, inclusive governance, and the provision of quality services to all Nigerians, regardless of their location.
