The bill sponsored by Senator Asuquo Ekpenyong, representing Cross River South, has passed its second reading after a voice vote where lawmakers unanimously gave backing to the bill. The establishment of the South-South Development Commission will address infrastructural development in the South-south region.
Recall that on 18th July 2024, during the plenary, the bill was stepped down for further consultation after it was presented by another Senator on behalf of Senator Ekpenyong, who was away on an official assignment. The bill was asked to be represented in due course.
Thankfully, the bill was quickly withdrawn for further consultation and not subject to voting, which would have automatically killed the bill for the remainder of the 10th Assembly, making it ineligible for representation till the 11th Senate commenced in June 2027.
The federal lawmakers had rejected the bill back in July when it was first presented because they claimed that the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) had covered most of the functions of the proposed (SSDC).
Read Also: RTEAN threatens to shutdown Anambra over double taxation, harassment of drivers
The lead debate presented yesterday, Thursday 3rd October by the sponsor of the bill, Senator Asuquo Ekpenyong (APC, Cross River South) convinced senators across party lines and geopolitical zones to embrace and support the idea.
In his arguments, Senator Ekpenyong, said that the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC), is being mistaken to be a single geopolitical development commissions, but it is rather a resource based commission that cuts across three geopolitical zones; South West, South South and South East.
Elated by the total support given the proposed commission by all senators who contributed, the Senate President, Godswill Akpabio put the bill to a vote and it was unanimously passed and referred to the Senate Committee on Special Duties to report back within one week.