Reps Approve N250bn Budget for South East Development

By Christiana Ekpa

The House Committee on South East Development Commission (SEDC) on Monday approved the 2025 budget of the South East Development Commission, expressing optimism that it will mark the beginning of developing the area which has been neglected for over 54 years after the civil war

The Chairman of the Committee, Chris Nkwonta told newsmen after the budget defence by the Management of Commission expressed. Optimism that the approval of the budget will Mark the beginning of good things in the South East development.

The South East Development Commission (SEDC) on Monday presented a budget of N250 billion to the House of Representatives.

The Chairman, House of Representatives Committee on South East Development Commission (SEDC), Rep. Chris Nkwonta, disclosed this during an interview with newsmen in Abuja.

While commending President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for signing the SEDC bill into law said that with the budget which, the neglected part of the South East will now witness government presence in terms of infrastructural development.

Nkwonta said that the budget would be targeted at addressing infrastructural deficits in the geopolitical zone.

“This budget essentially is going to target those areas where there were deficits in terms of infrastructure, erosion and other areas of human capital development.

Nkwonta said “You are aware that since after the civil war, the South East has been. What it ought to be. Remember that at the end of the civil War there was this promise that was made to us.

“You know the three R’s abd till today, that has not been done until this President signed the bill into law. We are talking about 54 years after the civil war.

“This budget is essentially going to target those areas where there is deficit in infrastructure, erosion and other areas of human capital development.

“The Commission will be expected to build roads, bridges, railway and manpower development.

“Although the money will not be enough, this is just a take off grant. This is just the beginning because the SEDC is just a growing concern and the President has given them this take off grant.

“The commission also expect money to come in from federal allocation. I am told that money is also expected to come from the five South eastern states,  from ecological funds coming into the country and from oil companies operating in the South East.”