South-East Lawmakers, Ohaneze Youths, Others Back SEDC Board Recompositioning

A group of South-East lawmakers from the five States, the leadership of Ohaneze Youth Movement led by Barr. Uche Nnadi, alongside chairmen of political parties from South-East region led by the national chairman of Action Alliance (AA), Kenneth Udeze, have expressed support for the recomposition of South-East Development Commission (SEDC) board.

The lawmakers are, Hon. Ikenga Ugochinyere (Imo), Afam Ogene, Hon. Peter Aniekwe, (Anambra), Hon. Kama Nkemkama (Ebonyi), Hon. Chris Nkwonta (Abia) and Hon. Sunday Umeh (Enugu).

Recall that on Saturday, President Bola Tinubu, had in a new list of nominees sent to the Senate for confirmation, replaced all the three executive directors initially nominated and named two additional executive directors.

Reacting to the development, the lawmakers, youth group and minority political parties, in a joint statement, described the board rejig as a welcome development, commending the Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Rt. Hon. Benjamin Okezie Kalu, and other lawmakers, who sponsored the SEDC Bill and worked tirelessly to ensure the Bill was signed into law.

They urged the appointees to work diligently to realise the SEDC’s mandate, expressing optimism that with their track record, the aim of the commission, which is to promote regional development, will be achieved.

The statement read, “The reconstitution of the Board of the South East Development Commission (SEDC), by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu is a welcomed development. Mr President have chosen men with good track record to manage the commission and champion South-east development.

“We are elated by the appointments of the new executive director for finance is Stanley Ohajuruka, who replaced Anthony Ugbo in the first list. Hon. Toby Okechukwu, the new executive director of projects who replaced Obinna Obiekweihe. Chief Sylvester Okonkwo who is now the executive director of corporate services, replacing Dr Daniel Ikechukwu Ugwuja.

“We also elated by the nominations of the executive directors Chidi Echeazu and Dr Clifford Ogbede. We are equally happy that the president retained Ugochukwu H. Agballah, Hon. Okey Ezenwa, Chief Hyacinth Ikpor, Ifeanyi Agwu, Nasiru Usman, Hamma Adama Ali Kumo, Edward David Onoja, Orure Kufre Inima and Chief (Mrs.) Joke Adebayo-Chukwuma.

“We commend our leader, the Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Rt. Hon. Benjamin Okezie Kalu, and other lawmakers who sponsored the Bill and worked tirelessly to ensure the Bill was signed into law. Since the end of the Nigerian civil war almost six decades ago, this is the first time the federal government has shown serious concerns about the rehabilitation of the region, which suffered serious damage from the war. We are optimistic that these people of proven integrity can implement the mandate of the SEDC of reconstruction and rehabilitation of the our region and taking it to the path of economic prosperity.”