Senate rejects bill to establish South-South Development Commission

The Senate, on Thursday, rejected a bill seeking to establish the South-South Development Commission, in an unanimous vote.

The bill, sponsored by Senator Asuquo Ekpenyong (APC, Cross River-South), aimed to create a commission to manage funds and address infrastructure, militancy, and environmental issues in the South-South region.

However, the bill faced stiff opposition from northern senators, led by Adamu Aliero (PDP, Kebbi-Central) and Abdul Ningi (PDP, Bauchi-Central). They argued that the proposed commission would duplicate the functions of the existing Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) and the Ministry of Niger Delta Affairs.

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Aliero, a former governor of Kebbi State, criticized the bill as unnecessary and potentially embarrassing for the Senate. He noted that the South-South region already has a fully-funded government agency and ministry overseeing development, making the proposed commission redundant.

Senate President Godswill Akpabio, sensing the opposition, called for a vote to step down the bill, which was unanimously endorsed by the senators. The rejection of the bill highlights the ongoing debate over regional development and resource management in Nigeria.

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