Igbo socio-cultural organization, Ohanaeze Ndigbo, on Wednesday, expressed confidence over Southeast governors to use the Southeast Development Commission, SEDC, to develop the region.
The SEDC bill which was co-sponsored by the Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Benjamin Kalu, comprises Abia, Anambra, Ebonyi, Enugu and Imo States.
The SEDC is expected to manage funds allocated from the Federation Account for the reconstruction and rehabilitation of roads, and other infrastructural deficits suffered by the Southeast region due to age-long neglect.
The SEDC will also tackle ecological problems and related environmental challenges that have devastated the Southeast for decades.
However, a statement by Ohanaeze’s National Publicity Secretary, Alex Ogbonnia, reads partly: “Furthermore, the South East governors led by the governor of Imo State, Senator Hope Uzodimma, will leverage the opportunity created by the Commission to anchor programmes that will fully harness and promote the industrial, agricultural, tourism, energy, commercial and investment potentials in the zone. It will also help to create the much-desired centrally coordinated security architecture in the zone; and more.
“A few days ago, the Minister of Works, Senator David Nweze Umahi, in Abakaliki, announced plans by the Federal Government to construct a 477 kilometre – six-lane Super Highway, traversing five states to the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja.
According to the minister, the super highway will, among others, pass through Abakiliki, Enugu, and Nsukka, leading to Abuja.
“The President General of Ohanaeze Ndigbo Worldwide Chief Engr. Dr Emmanuel Iwuanyanwu, MFR; OFR; CFR; FNICE; FNSE; FNIST; KSG (Ahaejiagamba Ndigbo) is highly elated and sends a warm gratitude to Mr. President over these developments.
“The Ohanaeze Ndigbo has maintained that the cause of backpedalling by Nigeria is the Igbophobia-a pathological fear of the Igbo in a country they have sacrificed so much to uphold. As it stands, President Bola Tinubu has shown a major departure from the Buhari regime by signing the SEDC Bill into Law; appointing Sen. Dave Nweze Umahi, a brilliant and prudent engineer as the federal minister for Works, and Vice Admiral Emmanuel Ogalla as the Chief of the Naval Staff.”
