The Senate has charged President Bola Tinubu’s nominees to the newly established South-South Development Commission (SSDC) board to prioritise developmental projects to tackle economic sabotage, environmental degradation, and infrastructural decay in the oil-rich region.
Benson Kombowei, Chairman of the Senate Committee on the SSDC, issued the directive on Wednesday during the screening of the nominees at the National Assembly complex.
Those screened include Chibudom Nwuche (Chairman, Rivers State) and Usoro Offiong Akpabio (Managing Director, Akwa Ibom State). Others are Marcus Nie Eji (Executive Director, Projects, Rivers); Aganaba Preye Steven (Executive Director, Social & Human Capital Development, Bayelsa); Timi Alari Ayibatonye (Executive Director, Corporate Services, Delta); Joseph Ugheoke (Executive Director, Commercial & Environmental Development, Edo); and Sony Abang (Executive Director, Finance, Cross River).
Additional nominees as Board members are: Larry Odey (Cross River); Charles Zuofa (Bayelsa); Nkereuwem Ebong (Akwa Ibom); Chika Chinedu (Rivers); Femi Oise (Edo); Charles Sylvester Enukhowhate (Delta); Tijani Yahaya Kaura (North-West); Tabitha Iliya Sallah (North-East); Alh. Yusuf Rasaq Amao (North-Central); Joseph Mmama (South-East); and Bukunola Braimoh (South-West).
Kombowei emphasised that the region’s persistent challenges could be addressed through deliberate and targeted interventions. He urged the nominees, once confirmed, to develop strategic programmes tailored to the unique needs and diversities of the South-South.
Also speaking, Asuquo Ekpeyong, Chairman of the Senate Committee on Niger Delta Affairs and member of the SSDC panel, pledged the Senate’s support in ensuring the commission fulfills its mandate.
He specifically charged the nominee for Managing Director, Usoro Offiong Akpabio, to foster collaboration among board members.
He said, “Madam MD nominee, I believe you are one of the only female managing directors of any development commission established so far. Congratulations.
“You have your work cut out for you. You have a lot to prove as a young woman in this country, and we believe, based on your credentials and the responses you’ve given, that you are up to the task.”
He urged her to work closely with fellow board members and ensure inclusion in decision-making processes to prevent internal conflict that could hamper the commission’s progress.
Ekpeyong added, “The region is rich in natural resources, oil, gas, and solid minerals. I encourage you to explore partnerships with state governments to harness and develop these resources sustainably.”
In her response, Akpabio promised that the commission would promote equitable distribution of projects and development across the region.
“In regional governance, we will be guided by indices such as population and the level of underdevelopment in each state,” she said.
She also highlighted the Commission’s focus on human capital development, particularly in the health sector, noting the neglect of rural areas during the COVID-19 pandemic as a lesson for future planning.
“We will prioritise rural health outreaches and work to revamp decaying health facilities across the region,” she added.
