Former member of House of Representatives, Chief Sam Onuigbo, says the establishment of South East Development Commission (SEDC) by President Bola Tinubu would spur economic and infrastructure development of the area.

He said that Tinubu had, by signing the SEDC bill into law, demonstrated genuine commitment to the development of the region in line with the post-civil war 3Rs.

At the end of the war in 1970, the then Head of State, retired Gen. Yakubu Gowon initiated the Rehabilitation, Reconstruction and Reintegration (3Rs) policy as a mechanism for healing the wounds.

“President Tinubu has touched a sensitive nerve to heal deep-seated wounds of the past.

“In all honesty, President Tinubu deserves special thanks from the people of South East, because for more than half a century.

“The scars of the civil war remained with us in terms of infrastructure despoliation, social disconnection and economic tribulation,” he said.

Onuigbo, who is member of North East Development Commission (NEDC), said the law had equipped the commission to intervene in a special way to address the infrastructure challenge in the area.

According to him, the SEDC has unique and specialised roles to play and promises to fulfil for the region after the intense devastations of the civil war.

Onuigbo, who reiterated his confidence in Tinubu administration, said successive military and civilian government’s failed where Tinubu was succeeding.

“The SEDC has come to remove the nagging feelings of distrust and socio-economic marginalisation among the people of South East.

“For rising to this historical challenge, special thanks should go to President Tinubu,” he said.

He, therefore, charged the pioneer members of SEDC to work extra hard with uncommon unity of purpose to lay a solid foundation for the commission by achieving great milestones.

The former house member representing Ikwuano/Umuahia North and Umuahia South federal constituency, urged the members to restore the past global rating of South East as one of the fastest growing economies in the world.

He also commended the leadership and members of the 10th National Assembly for rolling out the SEDC law.

According to him, the Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Benjamin Kalu, succeeded in writing his name in gold by that momentous legislation.

“As one who sponsored the Climate Change Act 2021, I know the rigours, hurdles, and challenges of working any piece of impactful legislation through the various processes up to the signing stage.

“On this score, Rt. Hon. Ben Kalu has justified his position as Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives and as a focused leader,” he said.

Onuigbo however appealed to the leadership of SEDC, and Ndigbo to join hands and support the Emeka Wogu-led members of the Governing Board of the commission to succeed.

“The success of the commission would be the greatest sign of the show of appreciation to President Tinubu for breaking the jinx and delivering this historic gesture,’’ he said.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the Bill for creation of the South East Development Commission was passed by the 10th Assembly and signed into law by Tinubu in July 2024.

Tinubu recently forwarded the names of members of the SEDC, to be headed by the former Minister of Labour and Productivity, Dr Emeka Wogu, to the Senate for screening and possible confirmation.  (NAN) (www.nannews.ng)

Edited by Uche Anunne