By Mercy Aikoye
The House Committee on South East Development Commission (SEDC) has approved the 2025 budget of the South East Development Commission. Chairman of the Committee, Chris Nkwonta, expressed optimism that the budget will mark the beginning of developing the area, which has been neglected for over 54 years after the civil war.
The South East Development Commission (SEDC) presented a budget of N250 billion to the House of Representatives. Rep. Chris Nkwonta commended President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for signing the SEDC bill into law, stating that the budget will bring government presence to the neglected areas of the South East.
Nkwonta emphasized that the budget will target addressing infrastructural deficits in the geopolitical zone. He noted that the South East has been neglected since the civil war, with unfulfilled promises of reconstruction and development.
The budget aims to address areas such as infrastructure, erosion, and human capital development. The Commission is expected to build roads, bridges, railways, and invest in manpower development.
Although Nkwonta acknowledged that the budget is not enough, he considered it a starting point. The Commission expects additional funding from federal allocation, the five South Eastern states, ecological funds, and oil companies operating in the South East.
Nkwonta expressed gratitude to the President for giving attention to the South East after years of neglect. He believes that the development of the region will bring an end to agitations and youthful unrest.
The SEDC’s project implementation is expected to bring peace and security to the area, addressing insecurity, unemployment, and youth development. Nkwonta is optimistic that the budget will mark the beginning of good things in the South East development.
