By Anayo Akwitti
The Senate has directed the management of the South-East Development Commission (SEDC) to operate from the South-East, insisting that the commission must be physically present in the region it was established to serve.
Chairman of the Senate Committee on SEDC, Senator Orji Uzor Kalu, gave the directive on Monday during an oversight visit to projects being executed by the commission in Enugu State.
Kalu, who led members of the committee on the inspection, expressed satisfaction with the progress of work on the commission’s headquarters in Enugu, describing the building as an impressive structure.
He said the committee had observed significant improvements compared with its previous engagements with the commission, urging the management to sustain the pace of work ahead of another oversight visit scheduled for December.
“Well, so far, we are making very good progress, unlike when we started. I’m sure you, both me and my colleagues, are seeing very serious progress. I hope that the Commission, especially the management team, sustains this progress,” Kalu said.
He added that the committee expected the commission to extend its activities to communities across the South-East to ensure that its impact was felt at the grassroots.
During the visit, the lawmakers inspected two facilities: the office currently occupied by the commission and another building provided by the Enugu State Government, which is being completed for its use.
Kalu said the inspection had addressed earlier concerns over the commission’s decision to operate from Abuja rather than Enugu.
“We were quarrelling about our office being in Abuja. Today, we have seen two offices, one where they are staying and the one they are completing, which the government of Enugu State gave them.
“So, we are very impressed. Once they are back home to do what they are sent to do, nobody has problems with them,” he stated.
The senator, however, reiterated that the commission must not relocate its operations to Abuja, stressing that its activities should be centred in the region it was created to develop.
“The only problem that I said before, and I repeat, is that they cannot operate from Abuja. They must operate from where they are set up. This is where they are located,” he said.
Kalu maintained that although the SEDC was relatively new, its management must remain committed to its mandate and ensure that the benefits of its programmes reach communities across the South-East.
