Akpabio Tasks South South Development Commission on Advancing Renewed Hope Agenda for the Region

The President of the Senate, Godswill Akpabio, has charged the board and management of the South South Development Commission (SSDC) to embark on impactful developmental projects that will uplift the living standards of people in the region and promote President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope agenda.

Senator Akpabio gave the charge on Thursday in Abuja when the board of the new Commission paid him a courtesy visit. He emphasized that the Commission bears a significant responsibility to drive development and economic growth across the six states of the South South region.

In a statement issued by his Special Assistant on Media and Communication, Anietie Ekong, Senator Akpabio was quoted as saying, “The ball is now in your court to add value to the South South region through this development commission. You have a lot of responsibilities to develop the region. 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 and to the Renewed Hope agenda of the President who established this Commission.”

He commended President Tinubu for creating the Commission, noting that the gesture reflects recognition of the South South’s immense contribution to the nation’s economy. “The Niger Delta has been good to Nigeria. We have kept the economy going, and giving us this opportunity to further develop other resources in the region shows that Nigeria cares about us,” he said.

Akpabio also appreciated members of the National Assembly for passing the SSDC Bill into law despite initial reservations due to the existence of the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC). He clarified that the SSDC’s mandate extends beyond oil-producing areas to cover every part of the South South region.

The Senate President assured that the National Assembly would support adequate funding for the Commission and other regional development agencies. “We shall continue to support you to fully take off and execute major projects that we will come to commission. You can count on me, my office, and my colleagues for the support needed to succeed,” Akpabio pledged.

In his remarks, the Chairman of the Commission, Prince Chibudom Nwuche, expressed gratitude to President Tinubu, Senator Akpabio, and the National Assembly for their roles in ensuring the establishment of the SSDC. He assured that under his leadership, the Commission would remain committed to its core mandate.

“Under my leadership, we will stay true to the objectives of this Commission. We will work closely with the Senate, engage stakeholders, and avoid the mistakes of the past to ensure our people truly feel the impact of governance,” Nwuche said.

The pioneer Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of the SSDC, Ms. Usoro Akpabio, commended Senator Akpabio and the Senate for their visionary leadership in establishing the Commission. She assured that the SSDC would pursue regional economic growth across all six South South states.

According to her, the Commission’s vision encompasses human capital development and infrastructural renewal. “We will collaborate with sister development agencies and the state governments while implementing our independent mandate. Our goal is to unlock the potentials and stranded wealth of the South South people,” she said.

She further assured that the SSDC would serve as a model for other developmental agencies in Nigeria by promoting sustainable growth and harnessing talents across various sectors of the region.