On Thursday, senators unanimously voted to reject a bill seeking to establish the South-South Development Commission. After extensive deliberation, the bill faced strong opposition from northern senators and was subsequently set aside.
Senate President, Senator Godswill Akpabio, stepped down the bill sensing the Senate’s reluctance to support it. Sponsored by Senator Asuquo Ekpenyong (APC, Cross River-South), the bill aimed to create the South-South Development Commission, which would manage funds from the Federation Account and other sources to address infrastructure deficits, militancy, communal crises, and ecological issues in the South-South region.
The debate was led by Senator Benson Agadaga (Bayelsa East) on behalf of Ekpenyong. However, the bill was quickly opposed by northern senators 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).
Former Kebbi State Governor Aliero accused the sponsor of trying to manipulate the Senate’s intelligence, noting that the South-South and Niger Delta regions already had a well-funded agency and a dedicated ministry for their development. He reminded the Senate of the creation of the Ministry of Niger Delta Affairs by the late President Umar Yar’Adua in 2007, in addition to the NDDC.
Aliero stated, “I see no need to support the second reading of this bill, which would make the Senate a laughingstock. It would amount to duplication.”
Senator Abdul Ningi expressed his affection for the South-South people and his frequent visits to the region, but opposed the bill due to its overlapping functions with the NDDC. He said, “When you compare the NDDC law and this bill, they are the same. It is important that this bill is stood down for further consultation.”
Following these arguments, Akpabio called for a vote to step down the bill, which was unanimously supported by the senators.
The Senate had previously passed the North Central Development Commission Bill on April 4 and the North-West Development Commission Bill on April 16. The NCDC bill, which began in the 9th Senate, was sponsored by Senate Minority Leader Senator Abba Moro (PDP, Benue-South), while the NWDC bill was sponsored by Deputy Senate President Senator Barau Jibrin (APC, Kano-North) and others. Earlier, in February, the Senate also passed the South East Development Commission Bill.
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