Igbo Think Tank, AKA IKENGA, has hailed the passage and presidential assent of the South East Development Commission (SEDC) Act as a significant milestone in the post-civil war reconstruction of the region.
The group’s response comes after President Bola Ahmed Tinubu signed the SEDC bill into law on Wednesday, marking a pivotal moment in addressing the long-standing developmental needs of the South East.
In a statement by the Director of Publicity of the Association, Collins Steve Ugwu, President of AKA IKENGA, Agbalanze Chike Madueke, emphasized the historical importance of this act, stating, “After 54 years of deliberate delays and barriers for a structured reconstruction of the South East region, ravaged as it were by 30 months of civil war, the swing of history fell upon President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to actualize the elusive process.”
The establishment of the SEDC is seen as a crucial step in fostering development in a region that has grappled with the aftermath of the Nigerian Civil War for over five decades.
AKA IKENGA expressed gratitude to the entire National Assembly for their support, particularly commending the cohesion demonstrated by South East legislators.
Special recognition was given to Rt Hon. Benjamin Kalu, the Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, for his leadership in pushing the bill forward.
Madueke noted, “His zest in leadership inspired the energy and charisma that saw us here and good.”
The think tank also acknowledged the patience and persistence of the Igbo people, pledging to leverage the region’s socio-economic positivity to ensure the success of the SEDC.
They expressed hope that the commission’s scope would extend to include the Anioma areas in the future.
AKA IKENGA has committed to closely monitoring the commission’s progress, promising to “add value to all further processes to enhance speed, competence and capacity in the running of the Commission.”
