Senate To SSDC Nominees: Address Sabotage, Environmental, Infrastructure Crises in South-South

The Senate has tasked the newly nominated board members of the South South Development Commission (SSDC) with the responsibility of tackling the pressing challenges of economic sabotage, environmental degradation, and infrastructure decay in the oil-rich South-South geopolitical zone.

The charge was issued yesterday in Abuja during the screening exercise conducted by the Senate Committee on the South South Development Commission, chaired by Senator Benson Kombowei.

Senator Kombowei urged the nominees to develop and execute strategic projects that directly address the region’s long-standing developmental challenges.

He emphasized the need for inclusive initiatives tailored to the diverse needs of communities across the South-South.

“The crises facing the region—ranging from environmental pollution to infrastructural collapse—can only be resolved through focused and deliberate developmental efforts,” Kombowei said. “We expect this board to deliver concrete results that reflect the aspirations of the people.”

The nominees screened and confirmed include Rt. Hon. Chibudom Nwuche (Rivers State) as Chairman and Usoro Offiong Akpabio (Akwa Ibom State) as Managing Director.

Other executive appointees are: Marcus Nie Eji (Rivers) – Executive Director, Projects; Aganaba Preye Steven (Bayelsa) – Executive Director, Social & Human Capital Development; Dr. Timi Alari Ayibatonye (Delta) – Executive Director, Corporate Services; Joseph Ugheoke (Edo) – Executive Director, Commercial & Environmental Development and Amb. Sony Abang (Cross River) – Executive Director, Finance

The board members also include: Larry Odey (Cross River), Charles Zuofa (Bayelsa), Dr. Nkereuwem Ebong (Akwa Ibom), Chika Chinedu (Rivers), Femi Oise (Edo), Dr. Charles Sylvester Enukhowhate (Delta), Tijani Yahaya Kaura (North-West), Tabitha Iliya Sallah (North-East), Alh. Yusuf Rasaq Amao (North-Central), Joseph Mmama (South-East), and Bukunola Braimoh (South-West).

Senator Asuquo Ekpeyong, Chairman of the Senate Committee on Niger Delta Affairs and member of the SSDC screening panel, emphasized the importance of teamwork among the nominees. Addressing Akpabio, the MD-nominee, he called for inclusive leadership.

“You are one of the few female managing directors of a development commission, and we are confident in your capacity. Your leadership will be crucial in fostering collaboration among the board members,” Ekpeyong said.

He added that the commission must work in partnership with state governments to tap into the region’s vast natural resources—including oil, gas, and solid minerals—to drive economic development.

In her response, Akpabio pledged the commission’s commitment to balanced regional development and strategic human capital investment. She stressed the need to factor population indices and levels of underdevelopment into project allocation.

“In our project planning, we will ensure equity and measurable impact across all states. Human capital development, especially in the health sector, will be prioritized—particularly in underserved rural communities,” she said.

Highlighting lessons from the COVID-19 pandemic, Akpabio noted the neglect of rural health infrastructure and promised medical outreach initiatives and a rehabilitation of dilapidated facilities.

The Senate is expected to confirm the nominees in the coming days, marking a major step in the operationalization of the SSDC.