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SEDC Defends Record Before Senate, Says Less Than 10% of N140bn Budget Released
…highlight major projects, Programme,Regional Development Plans Amid Funding Challenges
By Gloria Ikibah
The South East Development Commission (SEDC) has reiterated its commitment to transparency, accountability and regional development following an oversight session with the Senate Committee on South East Development Commission at the National Assembly.
The interactive session, chaired by the Committee Chairman, Senator Orji Uzor Kalu, formed part of the National Assembly’s constitutional responsibility to oversee the activities of government agencies.
During the engagement, the Commission presented a detailed report of its activities since the inauguration of its Board in February 2025, covering its financial performance, institutional development, procurement processes, staffing, partnerships and ongoing programmes across the South-East.
The Commission also briefed lawmakers on its engagements with state governments, federal institutions, development finance organisations and other stakeholders involved in driving development across the region.
As part of its review, the Senate Committee requested additional documentation relating to certain aspects of the Commission’s operations and programme implementation.
Responding to the request, the Commission welcomed the move and sought a short extension to collate and submit the required materials.
Following discussions, the Committee adjourned proceedings to a later date pending receipt of the requested submissions, which the Commission is expected to provide on or before 23 June 2026.
SEDC used the opportunity to highlight progress recorded despite what it described as significant funding constraints.
According to the Commission, preparatory work has advanced on several major regional projects since the Board was inaugurated, including strategic infrastructure initiatives such as gas pipeline and railway projects designed to drive economic growth and regional integration.
The Commission also disclosed that it had established partnerships with a number of national and international institutions, including the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), Afreximbank, Rural Electrification Agency, the Bank of Industry, Presidential Initiative on Compressed Natural Gas and Gas Aggregator Company of Nigeria.
It added that extensive consultations had been held with the governments of the five South-East states, federal ministries, development partners, academic institutions and private sector stakeholders to create a coordinated approach to regional development.
One of the major achievements highlighted during the session was the South East Vision 2050 stakeholder consultations, which brought together government officials, development experts, business leaders, academics and civil society groups to develop a long-term blueprint for the economic transformation of the region.
The Commission also spotlighted the successful rollout of the inaugural South East Venture Capital Programme (SEVCP), which it described as a flagship initiative aimed at promoting innovation, entrepreneurship and investment.
According to SEDC, 25 start-ups from across the South-East received equity investments through a transparent and competitive selection process under the programme.
The Commission said the initiative aligns with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda and reflects efforts to strengthen entrepreneurship, private sector growth and investor confidence.
“Anchored within the South East Investment Company, the Programme represents a strategic effort to move beyond fragmented interventions towards a more structured and credible venture capital ecosystem for the South East, combining capital deployment with venture development, institutional partnerships, and pathways for attracting institutional capital into early-stage, high-growth enterprises across the region,” it stated.
However, the Commission expressed concern over the pace of funding releases, warning that implementation of critical projects could be affected if appropriated funds are not released promptly.
It disclosed that despite the Federal Government and National Assembly approving ₦140 billion for the Commission in the 2026 budget, less than 10 per cent of the allocation has so far been released.
The statement further read: “Of the N140 billion appropriated to the Commission in the 2026 budget, less than 10% has been released to date across all budget lines.”
SEDC stressed that accelerated releases are essential to enable the execution of key infrastructure, agricultural transformation, youth empowerment, economic development and regional security initiatives captured within its mandate.
“The scale of development required across the South East demands sustained funding, institutional coordination, and continued collaboration among all stakeholders,” the Commission noted.
Reaffirming its commitment to openness and accountability, the Commission pledged full cooperation with the National Assembly and all relevant oversight institutions.
“SEDC remains committed to full cooperation with the National Assembly and all relevant oversight institutions. The Commission views accountability, transparency, and constructive engagement as fundamental to the successful delivery of its mandate and will continue to provide all information required to support effective legislative oversight.
“The Commission remains focused on its responsibility to deliver meaningful and measurable impact for the people of the South East through disciplined planning, transparent governance, strategic partnerships, and the effective deployment of public resources. The Commission appreciates the continued support of the National Assembly and looks forward to sustained collaboration in advancing inclusive growth, shared prosperity, and long-term development across the region.”
The Federal Government is taking steps to establish a national electricity complaints call centre that will give consumers across Nigeria a direct channel to report service challenges, seek redress, and track complaints to resolution.
The Minister of Power, Chief Joseph O. Tegbe, disclosed this at the commissioning of a 3-megawatt hybrid solar power project and Renewable Energy Workshop and Training Centre at Yakubu Gowon University, Abuja.
Tegbe said the initiative was designed to strengthen accountability, responsiveness and consumer confidence in the power sector.
“My office is working on a call centre where electricity complaints across the country can be lodged and resolved,” the Minister said, adding that the initiative would also create sustainable job opportunities for young Nigerians.
The Minister also announced plans for a dedicated reporting channel for vandalism of critical electricity infrastructure, enabling Nigerians to alert the authorities to incidents involving transformers, transmission towers and other power assets for faster intervention.
He said the Federal Government was working with the Nigeria Police Force, the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps and the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission to tackle the destruction of electricity infrastructure.
Tegbe urged Nigerians, particularly members of the university community, to see the protection of power infrastructure as a shared responsibility and to report vandalism promptly.
The commissioning of the hybrid power project provided the backdrop for the Minister’s call for greater public participation in protecting investments in the power sector.
Delivered under Phase II of the Federal Government’s Energising Education Programme by the Rural Electrification Agency, the project is designed to support teaching, research, laboratories and digital services.
At the same time, its 388 streetlights will enhance visibility and security across the campus.
Also speaking, the Managing Director of the Rural Electrification Agency, Abba Aliyu, said the establishment of the Renewable Asset Management Company would help ensure that renewable-energy assets are properly managed, maintained and protected after commissioning.
The planned complaints centre and vandalism reporting channel form part of the Federal Government’s broader effort to build a power sector that is more responsive, accountable and connected to the people it serves.
For the Federal Government, the next phase of power-sector reform is not only about building infrastructure, but ensuring that Nigerians have a clear channel to report problems, public assets are protected, and action follows complaints.
News
Constitution Review: State Assemblies Await Formal Transmission, Will Act in National Interest — Speakers’ Conference Chairman
The Chairman of the Conference of Speakers of State Legislatures of Nigeria, Rt. Hon. Emomotimi Dennis Guwor, says State Houses of Assembly are awaiting the formal transmission of the resolutions of the ongoing Constitution Review exercise from the National Assembly.
Guwor, who is also the Speaker of the Delta State House of Assembly, stated this while reacting to the announcement by the Clerk to the National Assembly that the Sixth Alteration Bill, including the proposed State Police Bill, had been transmitted to State Assemblies.
In a statement issued by his Chief Press Secretary, Nkem Nwaeke, the Conference Chairman said the Speakers had taken note of the development but were still expecting the formal copies of the bills.
“We are still awaiting formal transmission and as soon as we receive it, we will do what will be good for the people of Nigeria,” Guwor stated.
He said the Conference would subject the bills to thorough legislative scrutiny based on their merits upon receipt, stressing that the proposal for the establishment of State Police required careful consideration because of its implications for sub-national governance.
Guwor disclosed that the Conference of Speakers intends to engage the leadership of the Nigeria Governors’ Forum (NGF) to harmonise perspectives on the proposed State Policing framework before State Houses of Assembly take their final positions.
According to him, such engagement is necessary given the constitutional responsibilities of Governors and State Legislatures in the proposed reform process.
The Speaker assured that all State Assembly Speakers would be carried along on developments and that resolutions reached by the State Houses of Assembly would be communicated to the National Assembly in accordance with Section 9 of the 1999 Constitution, as amended.
The Anambra State Governor, Prof. Chukwuma Soludo, has granted a pardon to a popular native doctor, Chidozie Nwangwu, popularly known as “Akwa Okuko Tiwara Aki”.
Soludo signed an order for his immediate release on Friday and pledged to work with him for the betterment of Anambra State.
Nwangwu was convicted in February and sentenced to 11 months in prison following a plea bargain at the Awka High Court after pleading guilty to charges related to the practice of “Okeite” and other related matters.
The court had also ordered the destruction of his shrine in Oba, Idemili South Local Government Area of the state.
He was among eight native doctors arrested in 2025 following the passage of the Anambra State Homeland Security Law 2025.
He was charged with involvement in the promotion of money rituals, quick wealth and the use of human parts for rituals.
He was later handed an 11-month prison sentence and incarcerated at the Nigeria Correctional Service facility in Amawbia, Anambra State. He was also given the condition of renouncing his fetish practice and promising to become an ambassador for youth reformation.
Nwangwu accepted the conditions and had been serving his prison term until Soludo pardoned him under the prerogative of mercy, making him Ambassador for Youth Reformation in Anambra State.
The Special Adviser to the governor on Youth Reformation, Dr Nelson Omenugha, disclosed this in a statement on Friday, saying the governor had visited the prison in fulfilment of his duties when he made the announcement.
Omenugha said, “Thank you, Mr Governor, Prof. Chukwuma Soludo, CFR, for graciously extending your hand of mercy to Chidozie Nwangwu (Akwa Okuko Tiwara Aki) and giving him a new responsibility as Ambassador for Youth Reformation.
“This is the heart of Youth Reformation: not just punishment, but correction, restoration, a new purpose and a new Onye Anambra.”
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