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Reps begin amendment of SSDC Act
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The Speaker of the House of Representatives, Tajudeen Abbas, has said that there is a connection between citizens’ participation in lawmaking and quality legislation.
Abbas stated this while speaking at a public hearing on a bill to amend the South South Development Commission (SSDC) Act to provide additional funding for the interventionist agency.
He explained that this accounts for the resolve of the House, under his leadership, to get citizens more involved in the lawmaking process.
According to him, “we firmly believe that the legitimacy and quality of legislation are enhanced when citizens are active participants rather than mere spectators. Public hearings, therefore, represent far more than a constitutional obligation; they are practical expressions of participatory democracy, accountability, and inclusive governance.”
The Chairman of the House Committee on SSDC, Julius Pondi, in his opening remarks, said the public hearing underscores the parliament’s commitment to a transparent and participatory process that meets the aspirations of the people.
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According to him, “public hearings such as this provide a valuable platform for stakeholders to contribute meaningfully to the formulation of laws and public policies that affect their interests and to the development of our country.
“The Bill before us seeks to amend the South-South Development Commission (Establishment) Act, 2025, to strengthen the Commission’s financial base and enhance its capacity to discharge its developmental mandate across the South-South region effectively.
“Specifically, the proposed amendment seeks to introduce additional sources of funding, including contributions from extractive industries, agricultural processing companies, allocations from the Ecological Fund, and a share of Value Added Tax revenues, among other measures designed to place the Commission on a stronger and more sustainable financial footing.”
He added: “The South-South region occupies a unique and strategic position within the Nigerian Federation. For decades, it has served as the nation’s foremost hub for oil and gas production, contributing immensely to national economic growth and the revenues that sustain the Federation. Beyond its vast natural resource endowment, the region remains a critical driver of commerce, maritime activities, industrial development, and national prosperity.
“Notwithstanding these contributions, the region continues to face significant developmental challenges, including environmental degradation, infrastructure deficits, youth unemployment, poverty, and the socio-economic consequences associated with decades of intensive extractive activities.”
