Senate Reverses Stance, Advances Bill To Establish South-South Development Commission

The Senate on Thursday reconsidered its position and passed for second reading a Bill proposing the establishment of the South-South Development Commission (SSDC). This decision comes months after the Red Chamber had initially opposed the bill.

Titled “A Bill for an Act to Establish South-South Development Commission,” the bill, sponsored by Senator Asuquo Ekpenyong (APC, Cross River South), seeks to create a commission tasked with managing funds from the Federation Account and other sources for the development and integration of the South-South region. It aims to address infrastructural deficits, militancy, communal crises, and environmental issues.

During the debate, Senator Ekpenyong clarified the necessity of the SSDC, noting that while the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) exists, its multi-regional scope, which includes Southeast and Southwest states, has diluted its effectiveness in addressing the specific challenges of the South-South region. He emphasized, “We need a commission that is exclusively dedicated to our region, that understands our unique issues, and can craft tailored solutions for them.”

He further argued that the NDDC’s resource allocation based on oil production has resulted in unequal development, with states producing less oil receiving fewer resources. “The South-South Development Commission will be funded on the principle of equality among member states, ensuring that every state—whether a top oil producer or not—receives its fair share of resources for development,” Ekpenyong added.

Co-sponsored by all South-South senators, the bill received broad support from lawmakers across party lines and geopolitical zones during the debate.