By Abasi Ita
The President of the Senate, Godswill Akpabio, has charged the board and management of the South South Development Commission (SSDC) to deliver impactful projects that will improve the living standards of people in the region and promote the renewed hope agenda of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
Akpabio gave the charge on Thursday in Abuja when members of the SSDC board paid him a courtesy visit. He noted that the Commission has a huge responsibility to drive socio-economic development across the six states of the South South region.
According to a statement issued by his Special Assistant on Media and Communication, Anietie Ekong, Senator Akpabio said, “The ball is now in your court to add value to the South South region through this development Commission. You have a lot of responsibilities to develop the region. I want you to know that it is not a bonanza. It is a call to service, a call to put on your thinking cap to add value to the economy of the nation and to the renewed hope agenda of the President who set up this Commission.”
He commended President Tinubu for establishing the SSDC, describing it as a worthy recognition of the South South region’s contribution to Nigeria’s economy. “The Niger Delta has been good to Nigeria. We have kept the economy of the nation going and so giving us this opportunity to further develop other resources in the Niger Delta is also evidence that Nigeria cares about us,” he said.
The Senate President also expressed appreciation to members of the National Assembly for passing the SSDC bill into law despite initial hesitation, explaining that the new Commission’s mandate extends beyond oil-producing communities to every part of the South South region.
Akpabio pledged the National Assembly’s continued support for the SSDC and other regional development commissions. “We shall continue to support you to fully take off and execute big projects that we shall come and commission. You can count on me, my office and my colleagues. We will support you to succeed,” he assured.
In his remarks, the Chairman of the SSDC board, Prince Chibudom Nwuche, thanked President Tinubu, the Senate President, and the National Assembly for their roles in establishing the Commission. He expressed confidence that the SSDC will deliver on its mandate with the support of its experienced management team.
“Under my leadership as Chairman, I assure you that we shall keep faith in executing the core mandate of this Commission. We will work closely with you and the Senate and listen to guidance from our stakeholders.
We will avoid the mistakes of the past and make sure our people feel the impact of governance,” Nwuche stated.
The pioneer Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of the Commission, Ms. Usoro Akpabio, praised the visionary leadership of Senator Akpabio and the Senate for making the SSDC a reality. She pledged that the Commission will pursue an inclusive regional economic strategy across all six South South states.
She said, “This Commission will align with other sister development agencies and work with the states while carrying out our independent mandate. Our vision covers human capital development and infrastructural renewal. We will serve as a role model for other development agencies in Nigeria by promoting sustainable growth and unlocking the potentials of the South South region.”