The Chairman of the Senate Committee on the South East Development Commission (SEDC), Senator Orji Uzor Kalu, has confirmed the resolution of the disagreement surrounding the location of the commission’s headquarters, following the intervention of the Enugu State Government.
Kalu made the disclosure when he led members of the Senate Committee on a courtesy visit to Enugu State Governor, Dr. Peter Mbah, as part of the committee’s oversight activities to assess the projects, programmes and operational readiness of the commission.
The delegation was accompanied by the management of the SEDC, led by its Managing Director, Mr. Mark Okoye.
Speaking during the visit, the former Abia State Governor commended Governor Mbah for his administration’s investments in infrastructure, education, healthcare, water supply and transportation, describing the initiatives as important contributions to the development of Enugu State.
Kalu particularly acknowledged the establishment of Smart Green Schools, the development of more than 7,000 classrooms, the provision of Type II primary healthcare centres across the state’s 260 electoral wards and ongoing efforts to improve transportation through a multimodal transport system.
The Abia North senator also praised Mbah’s efforts to strengthen cooperation between the South East and the Federal Government, stressing the importance of collaboration in addressing the region’s longstanding development challenges.
He expressed appreciation to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for facilitating the establishment of the South East Development Commission, which is expected to serve as a platform for coordinated infrastructure development, economic growth and regional integration.
Addressing concerns over the commission’s headquarters, Kalu disclosed that the matter had been resolved following the Enugu State Government’s provision of temporary office accommodation and land for the construction of its permanent headquarters.
“We wanted to make sure that the commission locates to Enugu State as soon as possible, and this has been a subject of disagreement. But today, I can assure you that the issue is settled,” Kalu stated.
He thanked Governor Mbah for supporting the commission’s take-off and assured him that the Senate Committee would continue to provide legislative oversight and support to enable the agency to fulfil its mandate.
Responding, Governor Mbah welcomed Kalu and members of the delegation, describing the Senate Committee on the SEDC as one of the most important committees of the National Assembly because of its potential to accelerate development across the five South East states.
The governor called on the committee, under Kalu’s leadership, to support adequate funding for the commission, particularly for major regional infrastructure projects capable of transforming the South East economy.
He identified the construction of a high-pressure gas pipeline linking major cities across the region as a priority, explaining that reliable gas supply would encourage industrial investment, improve energy access for businesses and create opportunities for economic expansion.
“If we are able to have a high-pressure gas pipeline across all the major cities in the South East, I know that the SEDC is a veritable platform that can essentially execute a project of that scale,” Mbah said.
The governor also advocated the development of an interstate railway network connecting major commercial and industrial centres across the five South East states.
According to him, such a project would improve the movement of goods and people, strengthen regional trade and reduce pressure on existing road infrastructure.
He urged the South East governors to work towards a common railway development plan, with the SEDC serving as a coordinating platform.
“We are hoping that, given the coming into effect of the SEDC, we will be able to use it as a platform to bring all the other states together to have a common design on the South East railway line,” he stated.
Mbah further highlighted the importance of agriculture and technology-driven enterprises in the region’s economic development.
He cited the commencement of a 200-hectare integrated Agro Development Programme at Nomeh Unateze in Enugu State as an example of the commission’s potential to support agricultural production and investment.
The governor assured the commission of his administration’s cooperation in creating an enabling environment for the successful implementation of the project.
He also called for financing opportunities for young entrepreneurs whose businesses had developed viable products but required additional funding to expand their operations.
Mbah maintained that improved access to capital, modern infrastructure and coordinated regional planning would help unlock the South East’s industrial and commercial potential.
He consequently appealed to Kalu and other members of the Senate Committee to support efforts to secure sufficient funding for the commission to undertake major development projects.
The visit formed part of the Senate Committee’s oversight responsibilities aimed at assessing the commission’s operations, identifying implementation challenges and strengthening legislative support for its development mandate.
With the headquarters issue now resolved, according to Kalu, attention is expected to shift towards the commission’s operational activities and the implementation of projects intended to promote economic development across the South East.
