SOUTHEAST DEVELOPMENT COMMISSION BILL: A Salute To Rt. Hon. Ben Kalu - By Mike Ukoha

By Mike Ukoha

The cheering news on the lips of every Igbo son and daughter is the fact that the long expected bill which seeks to address the myriads of challenges bedeviling the people of South East, has passed 3rd reading at the Senate. All thanks to our pragmatic and enigmatic Deputy Speaker Rt. Hon. Benjamin Kalu, who has been at the forefront to ensure that the bill succeeds. Also, I must appreciate members of the National Assembly, Senate leadership, especially those from Southeast region, for seeing the need to accelerate the bill up to the 3rd reading which is the required process to pass it into law. This is an all-important bill.

The next port of call is for Mr. President to sign it into law when it finally lands on his table. I have no doubt in my mind that the Presidency will do the needful as expected, which is intandem with his "Renewed Hope" agenda. The significance of this bill can never be over-emphasized considering the beckon of hope it will bring to the Southeast.

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The SouthEast Development Commission (SEDC) bill, when signed into law, will definitely and drastically reduce agitation and marginalization in the area.

The benefits of SEDC bill is huge. It will not only improve development, which includes social amenities, education, health care services, youth training, and empowerment programs but address ecological and environmental challenges that the region has suffered for so long.

In addition, the SEDC, when established, will assist in the reconstruction, rehabilitation and reconciliation in the region, which was adversely ravaged as a result of the civil war more than fifty years ago.

We appreciate the legislators and stakeholders of goodwill who have made the bill come through thus far.

Let me once again salute an amazing personality of superlative class, Rt. Hon. Benjamin Kalu. His initiatives have always been wonderful, scoring first in all fronts in his legislative prowess. With Peace in South East Project (PISE-P) done and dusted, the achievement of the SouthEast Development Commission (SEDC) will act as a boost towards the achievement of peace in the region.

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Ukoha is former Minority Whip Abia State House of Assembly.