…say assent to South East Devt Commission will aid infrastructural rebuilding
By Gloria Ikibah
Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Rep. Benjamin Kalu has charged the youths of South East geopolitical zones and Nigerians to shy away from the planned nationwide protest and have a discuss with the Federal Government so as to address the numerous challenges facing Nigeria.
Naijablitznews.com reports that Nigerians have vowed to embark on a nationwide peaceful protest as a way of registering their grief to the government over the current economic hardship, unemployment, fuel hike among others.
The proposed nationwide protest is scheduled for Friday August 2, 2024, across the country.
The Deputy Speaker also speaking at a media conference in Abuja on Wednesday, on the signing of the South East Development Commission SEDC Bill into law by President Bola Tinubu, said assent to the Bill, will aid in infrastructural rebuilding in the region, following many years of neglect by successive administrations.
He said, “To my fellow South-Easterners, I implore you not to join the planned looming anti-government protests. Instead, let us view the signing of the SEDC bill into law as a testament to the President Bola Tinubu administration’s resolve to heal the wounds of the past, bury the rumours of the “marginalization of the South-East geopolitical zone,” and renew the hope of the nation towards equitable economic growth and socio-cultural renewal.
“I also implore Nigerians from all walks of life and the entirety of the country to not heed the calls for protest but instead continue to trust in the process. The reforms of the current administration will take time but will soon start to suffice, including a reversal of inflation and stabilization of the economy.
“This will trigger multiplier effects in a massive employment boom as a result of industrialisation, and the outcomes of the work organisations like the SEDC will engineer.”
Rep. Kalu added that the commission “Will receive and manage funds from the allocation of the Federation Account for the reconstruction and rehabilitation of roads, houses, and other infrastructural damages suffered by the zone as a result of the civil war.
“It will also tackle ecological problems and other related environmental or developmental challenges in the South-East States including Abia, Imo, Enugu, Anambra, and Ebonyi.”
Naijablitznews.com reports that the SEDC Bill was sponsored by Rep. Kalu and all other lawmakers from the South East region.
He commended President Tinubu for signing the bill into law, and described the development as a demonstration of official readiness to reposition the South East zone to tap into its resources for the good of its people in particular and the nation at large.
He further reiterated his commitment to use the carrot and stick approach in addressing the security challenges in the region.
“Aside from our legislative interventions and ongoing hard work in the National Assembly, my colleagues and I from the South-East have set the ball rolling with non-kinetic measures as remediation to the insecurity situation in the region.
“Through the Peace in South East Project, a non-governmental special purpose vehicle with thematic and programmatic leadership, we intend to execute this flawlessly,” he added.
Fielding questions from journalists on the significance of the law, Rep. Kalu who represents Bende Federal Constituency of Abia state, and a member of the ruling All Progressives Congress APC, said the SEDC will propel the people to leverage agriculture and entrepreneurial skills that will enable industrialisation of the region.
“Our innovative mindedness will leverage the opportunities in the digital economy, our creativity will birth a greater cultural and entertainment platform such as Igbowood and our youth and women demography will play a major role in the energy of our development.
“It is time to put our huge gap deposit in the region to use for industrial parks that will bring value to the nation. Most of the radicalized youths will now have jobs to engage them productively among others,” he added.