Senate Rejects Bill To Establish South-South Development Commission

The Senate has rejected a bill seeking to establish the South-South Development Commission (SSDC).

The rejection was due to stiff opposition from Northern Senators.

The bill, sponsored by Senator Asuquo Ekpenyong, sought for the creation of a commission to manage funds for the development of the South-South region.

Almost every region in Nigeria has a development commission but the first development commission was Niger Delta Development Commission which covers the South-South geopolitical region.
However, Senators Abdul Ningi and Adamu Aliero opposed the bill, arguing that it duplicates the existing Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC).

Aliero stated that the South-South region already has a fully-funded government agency and a Ministry for development, making the proposed SSDC unnecessary.

Ningi expressed his love for the people of the South-South but opposed the bill due to its similar functions with the NDDC.

Senate President Godswill Akpabio intervened and stepped down the bill to avoid its potential rejection through a voice vote.

The decision was unanimously endorsed by Senators.