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By Zika Bobby
The South East Development Commission (SEDC) has received commitments of support and cooperation from governors, businessmen and other stakeholders in the Southeast region.
This was part of the outcome of the grand reception organised for the Commission leadership by billionaire businessman and philanthropist, Prince Arthur Eze in Enugu at the weekend.
Eze, at the event, expressed gratitude to President Bola Tinubu for demonstrating visionary leadership and recognising the immense potential of every region, including the South East.
He said a Commission like the SEDC was expected to have been set up to drive the Reconstruction, Reconciliation, and Rehabilitation policy of Gen. Yakubu Gowon when the war ended in 1970.
He urged the SEDC to revamp the industrial infrastructure which supported the old eastern region and said the South East was a land of innovation, resilience, and enterprise. He promised to support the SEDC in the areas of power and energy, manufacturing, agriculture, industrial development and also urged other stakeholders to support it to achieve their strategic roadmap.
According to him, “now that we have this Commission, we have great expectations, it should rehabilitate strategic moribund industries that can provide thousands of jobs to our youths.
“I also extend my heartfelt gratitude to the National Assembly, led by Sen. Godswill
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Akpabio and our son, Benjamin Kalu, whose dedication and determination ensured that this Commission became a reality,” he said.
Benjamin-Okezie Kalu, the Deputy Speaker, House Of Representatives, said the SEDC would be the engine room for renewal and the architect of a modern Southeast.
Kalu who was represented by Chief George Ozodinaobi, deputy minority whip, said the SEDC Bill was not a mere legislative exercise, but a mission to address long-standing infrastructure deficits, economic stagnation, and the wounds of history that have yet to fully heal.
Kalu warned against politicisation of the Commission but called for partnership among governments, private sector, diaspora community and all relevant institutions
According to him, the SEDC Act is more than ink on paper, it is a covenant of progress, a bridge between our storied past and the prosperous future we dare to build.
Mark Okoye, the Managing Director/CEO of SEDC said the Commission would work closely with state governors to realise the target of moving the region from the current $40 billion to a $200 billion economy.
Okoye said SEDC would invest heavily in the critical sectors that would catalyse economic transformation, adding that all its projects, programmes and interventions would be aimed at de-risking these key sectors to encourage private sector investment for sustainability.
Dr. Emeka Wogu, chairman of SEDC Board appreciated President Tinubu for establishing this commission and for his proactive leadership while assuring that the board would not fail in their mandate.
Wogu said the board just finished a tour of the region where it met the various governors and presented their strategic roadmap.
