…promises renewed development in region
By Gloria Ikibah 
The House Committee on South East Development Commission (SEDC) has approved the Commission’s 2025 budget of N250 billion, expressing confidence that it will kick-start much-needed development in the region after decades of neglect following the civil war.
Chairman of the Committee, Rep. Chris Nkwonta, addressing journalists after the budget defense session on Mondayi Abuja, said that the approval marks the beginning a new chapter for the South East.
Nkwonta commended President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for signing the SEDC bill into law, emphasising that the budget will ensure government presence in the South East through key infrastructural projects.
He said: “This budget essentially is going to target those areas where there were deficits in terms of infrastructure, erosion and other areas of human capital development.
“You are aware that since after the civil war, the South East has been. What it ought to be. Remember that at the end of the civil War there was this promise that was made to us.
“You know the three R’s abd till today, that has not been done until this President signed the bill into law. We are talking about 54 years after the civil war.
“This budget is essentially going to target those areas where there is deficit in infrastructure, erosion and other areas of human capital development.
“The Commission will be expected to build roads, bridges, railway and manpower development.
“Although the money will not be enough, this is just a take off grant. This is just the beginning because the SEDC is just a growing concern and the President has given them this take off grant.
“The commission also expect money to come in from federal allocation. I am told that money is also expected to come from the five South eastern states, from ecological funds coming into the country and from oil companies operating in the South East.
“Even though this is not enough, we need to start from somewhere. But we are grateful to the President thay after six military heads of state and five democratically elected Presidents, attention has been given to the South East.
“The journey of a thousand miles begins with a step. Even those boys that are causing trouble, when they see that the region is now being taken care of, what they are doing now will not continue.
“If you want to develop the South East, there has to be peace. If there is no peace and Security, there is nothing we can do. Some of the items in the budget is a aimed addressing insecurity, unemployment and youth development”.
Nkwonta said that the SEDC through its projects implementation would bring about end to agitations and youthful unrest in the area.
The budget ooutline plans to address critical infrastructure deficits in the region.
