Elder statesman, Chief Chekwas Okorie, on Wednesday, urged stakeholders in the southeast region to avoid actions capable of undermining the newly established South East Development Commission (SEDC).
He said the South East must desist from “hurting itself” at a time when a long-awaited development institution is beginning to take shape.
Okorie, who waded into the controversy rocking the operations of the interventionist agency, insisted that it was too early in the day to question it’s operations, especially when it’s allocations had not been released in two years.
SEDC has been facing public scrutiny following its clash with the Senate Committee chaired by Orji Uzor Kalu last week, which had expressed displeasure with the running of the Commission.
But addressing a press conference in Enugu, Okorie warned against actions capable of undermining the essence of setting up the commission.
He said:”I have been involved in the struggle for the South East for over 50 years without interruption.
“I know how much damage we do to ourselves, especially when good things are about to come our way”.
The Convener of Igbo Agenda and founding National Chairman of the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) commended President Bola Tinubu for establishing the commission and giving it a clear mandate to address developmental challenges confronting the region.
“This is the first time we have a commission specifically designed to tackle the issues arising from the neglect and devastation suffered by the South East after the Biafra civil war.
“Whatever reservations some people may have, President Tinubu deserves commendation for taking the bold step of not only approving the commission expeditiously but also providing it with a specific mandate,” he stated.
Okorie argued that relying solely on statutory allocations would be insufficient for the commission to achieve its objectives, noting that its management was right to seek alternative funding sources and investor partnerships.
According to him, projects such as interstate rail transportation, gas development, electricity generation, youth empowerment, entrepreneurship support and skills acquisition require substantial investments that can only be attracted through well-prepared feasibility studies and professional consultancy services.
“If you want investors to come and invest in the South East, you must have documents showing the viability of those projects. Consultancy is about preparing such documents. Without them, how do you attract investors?”, he asked.
Reacting to concerns raised by the Senate Committee overseeing the commission regarding alleged expenditure on office accommodation and consultancy services, Okorie questioned why the committee waited several months before raising the issues publicly.
“The Senate appropriated funds for the commission and has oversight responsibility. If there were concerns, why did they not engage the commission earlier?
If an office was rented for N153 million in Abuja, what stopped members of the committee from driving there to inspect it?” he observed
He described the public dispute as unfortunate and capable of creating the impression that some persons were working against the interests of the South East.
“Let us stop hurting ourselves. It is too early. After the commission waited for about one year and eight months before receiving funds, six months later the Senate committee suddenly began to raise alarm publicly. Oversight should be carried out diligently and maturely, without creating the impression that there are ulterior motives,” he said.
Okorie however, faulted the commission’s communication strategy, saying inadequate public engagement had created room for rumours and speculation.
“The commission has not done enough publicity. People need to know its constraints, what it has achieved and what plans it has for the funds already released. Better communication would keep those who want to cause confusion at bay,” he noted.
He urged SEDC to strengthen its presence across the region by making its Enugu head office fully operational and establishing offices in all five South-East states.
“They should have functional offices in the five states and engage local people to communicate their policies, programmes and activities.
“Their communication is poor, and that creates room for rumours and all sorts of allegations against the commission,” Okorie added.
He maintained that while accountability remains important, stakeholders should support rather than undermine an institution established to drive the development of the South East.