By Chukwudi Obasi, Abuja
The House Committee on the South East Development Commission (SEDC) has approved the commission’s N250bn budget for 2025, expressing optimism that it will mark the beginning of much-needed development in the region, which has been neglected for over 54 years since the end of the civil war.
Speaking to journalists after the SEDC management’s budget defence, Committee Chairman Chris Nkwonta described the budget approval as a major step toward addressing the region’s long-standing infrastructure deficits and developmental challenges.
The SEDC presented the N250bn budget to the House of Representatives yesterday, and lawmakers acknowledged its potential to bring government presence to the South East in terms of infrastructural development.
Commending President Bola Tinubu for signing the SEDC bill into law, Nkwonta noted that the initiative is a historic step toward fulfilling promises made to the region since the end of the Nigerian civil war.
He emphasised that the South East has not received the attention it should have since the war ended. He recalled that after the Civil War, the federal government promised the region a policy of “Reconstruction, Rehabilitation, and Reconciliation. ” Yet, for over five decades, those promises remained unfulfilled until now, with President Tinubu signing the SEDC bill into law.
The Chairman explained that the approved budget would address critical infrastructure deficits, erosion control, and human capital development.
He stressed that the commission would be responsible for constructing roads, bridges, railways, and manpower development. While acknowledging that the allocated funds may not be sufficient to meet all the region’s needs, he described the budget as a take-off grant designed to set the commission in motion.
Although the funds may not be enough, he said, this is just the beginning. The SEDC is a growing institution, and the President has provided this initial grant to get things started.
Nkwonta further disclosed that the SEDC would not solely rely on federal government funding, as additional financial support is expected from multiple sources.
He noted that the five South Eastern states are expected to contribute funds, alongside ecological funds and levies from oil companies operating in the region.
He emphasised that even though this budget is just a starting point, it represents a significant milestone, as past administrations—both military and civilian—had failed to give the South East such attention.
Expressing confidence that the commission’s activities would help curb insecurity and youth restiveness in the region, Nkwonta pointed out that the absence of development has contributed to rising agitations.
However, these issues could be addressed with government intervention. He stressed that the journey of a thousand miles begins with a step and expressed optimism that even those young men causing unrest in the region would reconsider their actions once they see tangible development projects being implemented.
He argued that peace must be prioritized for the South East to experience true development.
He noted that without security and stability, there would be little progress.
He further revealed that part of the budget explicitly addresses insecurity, unemployment, and youth development.
According to him, properly implementing SEDC projects would improve infrastructure and create economic opportunities, significantly reducing agitation and youth restiveness in the region.
