53 years after war, Reps pass South East Development Commission Bill

The House of Representatives has finally passed the long-awaited bill for the establishment of the South East Development Commission (SEDC), 53 years after the Nigerian civil war that ravaged the region.

“I am delighted that the House of Representatives successfully passed the bill for the establishment of the South East Development Commission after fifty-three long years, today,” Benjamin Kalu, the deputy speaker of the House of Representatives, said in a statement posted on his X account on Thursday evening.

The SEDC, once established, will be entrusted with managing funds allocated from the federation account to address the consequences of the civil war in the Southeast states of Abia, Imo, Enugu, Anambra, and Ebonyi.

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Its mission will be multifaceted, encompassing the reconstruction and rehabilitation of infrastructure, including roads and houses, as well as tackling ecological challenges and other development needs specific to the region.

The bill’s passage coincides with ongoing efforts towards peace and stability in the Southeast through the “Peace in South East Project,” a non-kinetic approach to resolving socio-economic and sociological issues.

Taofeek Oyedokun

Taofeek Oyedokun is a correspondent at BusinessDay with years of experience reporting on political economy, public policy, migration, environment/climate change, and social justice. A graduate of Political Science from the University of Lagos, he has also earned multiple professional certificates in journalism and media-related training. Known for his clear, data-driven reporting, Oyedokun covers a wide range of national and international socioeconomic issues, bringing depth, balance, and public-interest focus to his work.