Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Hon. Benjamin Kalu, has urged the South East geopolitical zone to align with President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda, citing significant achievements in infrastructure, energy, agriculture, and education.
Kalu made the call during the inauguration of Renewed Hope Partners (RHP) in the Ukwa West Local Government Area of Abia State, which also marked the commencement of the exercise across the state’s 17 local government areas.
The deputy, in a statement by his Chief Press Secretary, Levinus Nwabughiogu, highlighted the establishment of the South East Development Commission (SEDC), the recommencement of the Port Harcourt-Maiduguri rail corridor, and the construction of gas pipelines across the region as worthy feats.
He added that the compressed natural gas initiative is expected to save N2 trillion monthly in fuel imports while also commending the distribution of fertiliser and mechanised equipment to farmers.
The deputy speaker further emphasised the need for the South East to support Tinubu’s re-election bid in 2027, citing his commitment to the region’s development.
Kalu also announced plans to launch Renewed Hope Councils in every local government area, linked to the South East Development Commission, to drive grassroots implementation of federal policies and projects.
He said: “The story of the South-East is changing and it is changing for good. Under President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, our region is beginning to feel the touch of inclusion, investment, and renewed hope.
“From infrastructure to appointments, from industry to innovation, this administration is deliberately ensuring that the South-East takes its rightful place in the national journey of growth.
“President Tinubu approved the N150 billion South-East Investment Company (SEIC) under the SEDC to fast-track industrialisation across the region. The Eastern Rail Line (Port Harcourt–Maiduguri corridor): connecting Aba, Onitsha, Enugu, and Nsukka, is expected to unlock over N50 billion in annual trade.
“The Lekki-Aba–Onitsha–Maiduguri Road Corridor under federal focus is for logistics and commerce.
Federal housing under Renewed Hope Cities & Estates. Abia’s site is located in Bende, part of the 100,000 homes nationwide.
“The development of the Anambra Gas Basin, under active federal supervision, has the potential to make Anambra and Abia energy hubs.”
Kalu said the federal government has allocated land in Abia, Ebonyi, and Enugu for the 10 million-hectare cultivation target under the national food security plan, adding that there are fertiliser and equipment partnerships from the U.S., Belarus, and Brazil to support cassava, rice, and palm oil value chains in the zone.
The deputy speaker also stated that education and human capital, with a student-loan disbursement of N45.6 billion, are already reaching South East students, and an additional N50 billion is to be released from recovered funds.
“Other notable achievements of the Federal Government’s Renewed Hope Agenda in the South East include the establishment of the South East Development Commission with a $1 billion regional asset base, the Eastern Rail Line connecting Aba, Onitsha, Enugu, and Nsukka, and the Anambra Gas Basin development.
“Additionally, the Federal Government has allocated land in Abia, Ebonyi, and Enugu for large-scale farming and provided N45.6 billion in student loans to South East students,” he added.
Kalu urged the people of the South East to seize the opportunities presented by the Renewed Hope Agenda and work together to build a brighter future for the region and the country.
