Senate President Godswill Akpabio has urged the newly inaugurated board and management of the South South Development Commission to focus on tangible projects and programmes that will uplift the lives of people in the region and align with President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda.
He gave the charge when the board, led by its chairman Prince Chibudom Nwuche, paid him a courtesy visit at the National Assembly in Abuja. Akpabio said the commission carries a vital responsibility to drive economic growth and sustainable development across the six states of the South South, describing its creation as a chance to correct past mistakes and deliver real value to the people.
He said the task before the commission is not one of luxury but service, urging the board to bring creativity, commitment, and a sense of duty to their roles. “You have a lot of responsibilities to develop the region. It is not a bonanza; it is a call to service. You must add value to the economy and advance the Renewed Hope Agenda of the President who created this commission,” he stated.
Akpabio commended President Tinubu for establishing the commission, describing it as a reflection of the federal government’s commitment to balanced national development. He also praised members of the National Assembly for supporting the bill despite earlier concerns about the existence of the Niger Delta Development Commission.
He explained that unlike the NDDC, the South South Development Commission has a broader mandate that covers the entire region, including non oil producing areas, and is meant to complement other intervention agencies in addressing development challenges.
“The Niger Delta has been good to Nigeria,” Akpabio said. “We have sustained the nation’s economy, and this commission gives us another opportunity to develop our resources. It shows that Nigeria cares about us.”
The Senate President assured that the National Assembly would provide adequate funding for the commission and similar regional development agencies. “We will support you to take off fully, implement major projects, and ensure you succeed,” he promised.
In his remarks, the chairman of the commission, Prince Nwuche, expressed gratitude to President Tinubu, Akpabio, and the National Assembly for their roles in establishing the agency, describing it as a product of visionary leadership. He pledged that the commission would uphold transparency, accountability, and measurable results while avoiding the mistakes that hindered similar institutions in the past.
“As chairman, I assure you that we will stay true to the core mandate of the commission. We will work with the Senate, stakeholders, and the states to ensure our people feel the impact of governance,” Nwuche said.
The managing director and chief executive officer of the commission, Ms. Usoro Akpabio, also commended the Senate President for his efforts and said the agency would pursue inclusive and transformative development across the region. She noted that its main priorities include human capital growth, infrastructure renewal, and economic diversification.
She added that the commission would collaborate closely with state governments and development institutions to unlock the region’s vast potential and create lasting opportunities.
Stakeholders believe the establishment of the South South Development Commission marks a new beginning for the region, raising hopes for accelerated growth and inclusive progress.
