President of the Senate, Godswill Akpabio, has charged the newly inaugurated board and management of the South-South Development Commission (SSDC) to deliver tangible developmental projects that will transform the region and improve the living standards of its people....Click to Read More >>➤

Akpabio made the call when members of the SSDC board paid him a courtesy visit in Abuja. In a statement issued on Friday by his Special Assistant on Media and Communication, Mr. Anietie Ekong, the Senate President emphasized that the commission carries a heavy responsibility to fulfill the aspirations of millions of people in the South-South zone.

A Call to Serve, Not a Bonanza

Akpabio reminded the board that the establishment of the SSDC was not an avenue for political patronage but a call to service. He urged them to align their efforts with President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda, focusing on sustainable development and inclusive growth across the six states of the region.

“The ball is in your court to add value to the South-South zone through this development commission,” Akpabio said. “You have a lot of responsibilities to develop the zone. I want you to know that it is not a bonanza, but a call to service — a call to put on your thinking cap to add value to the economy of the nation and to the renewed hope agenda of the President who set up this commission.”

The Senate President commended President Tinubu for approving the establishment of the South-South Development Commission, describing it as a significant step toward addressing the region’s infrastructural and economic challenges.

“Nigeria Cares About the Niger Delta”

Akpabio noted that the South-South region has played a vital role in sustaining Nigeria’s economy through oil and gas production. He said the creation of the SSDC demonstrates the Federal Government’s recognition of the region’s contributions and its commitment to balanced national development.

“They say one good turn deserves another. The Niger Delta has been good to Nigeria and has kept the economy of the nation going,” he said. “Giving us this opportunity to further develop other resources in the region is evidence that Nigeria also cares about us.”

He further thanked members of the National Assembly for passing the SSDC Establishment Bill into law, despite initial concerns about its overlap with the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC). According to him, the SSDC’s mandate extends beyond oil-producing communities to encompass all parts of the South-South zone.

Legislative Support for Regional Development

Akpabio pledged the full support of the National Assembly to ensure the SSDC and similar regional development agencies receive adequate funding. He assured the board that the legislature would partner with the commission to achieve its goals.

“We shall continue to support you to fully take off and execute big projects that we shall come and inaugurate,” he said. “You can count on me, my office, and my colleagues. We will support you to make sure you are adequately funded and that you succeed.”

Board Pledges Commitment to Mandate

Responding, the Chairman of the SSDC Board, Mr. Chibudom Nwuche, expressed gratitude to President Tinubu, the Senate President, and the National Assembly for their roles in creating the commission. He assured that the board would prioritize transparency, accountability, and measurable impact in delivering development to the South-South region.

“Under my leadership as Chairman, I assure you that we shall keep faith in executing the core mandate of this commission,” Nwuche said. “We will work closely with the Senate and listen to guidance from stakeholders. We will avoid the mistakes of the past and ensure our people feel the impact of governance.”

Vision for Sustainable Development

Also speaking, the pioneer Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of the SSDC, Ms. Usoro Akpabio, commended Senator Akpabio for his leadership and vision in facilitating the establishment of the commission.

She said the SSDC would focus on regional economic integration, infrastructure renewal, and human capital development across the six states of the South-South zone — Akwa Ibom, Bayelsa, Cross River, Delta, Edo, and Rivers.

“This commission will align with other sister development agencies and work with the states while carrying out our independent mandate,” she said. “We will unlock the potentials and the stranded wealth of the South-South people. Our goal is to be a role model for other developmental agencies in Nigeria by ensuring sustainable progress for the region.”

According to her, the SSDC plans to harness local talents and resources to boost industrialization, create jobs, and promote innovation across sectors such as agriculture, education, and technology.

“The South-South has immense potential, and our responsibility is to harness it fully,” she added. “We will bring out the best in our people and ensure that this commission becomes a legacy of progress for generations to come.”

With the SSDC now formally inaugurated, stakeholders in the region and across Nigeria are watching to see how the new commission will tackle long-standing challenges such as infrastructure deficits, unemployment, and poverty in one of the nation’s most resource-rich regions.