The House of Representatives on Wednesday commenced a public hearing on a bill seeking to amend the South-South Development Commission (SSDC) Establishment Act, 2025, to provide additional sources of funding for the commission and strengthen its capacity to address developmental challenges in the region.
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Speaking at the hearing in Abuja, Speaker of the House of Representatives, Tajudeen Abbas, said the proposed amendment aims to place the commission on a funding structure comparable to other regional development commissions in the country.
Abbas said the South-South region remains critical to Nigeria’s economic prosperity due to its contributions to the oil and gas sector but continues to face environmental degradation, infrastructure deficits, ecological challenges, youth unemployment and other socio-economic concerns.
“The objective is to provide the Commission with a funding structure comparable to those of other regional development commissions, thereby enhancing its capacity to address the developmental priorities of the South-South region,” he said.
The Speaker stressed that institutions established to tackle developmental challenges cannot succeed without adequate and sustainable funding, adding that any proposal imposing new financial obligations must undergo rigorous legislative scrutiny to ensure transparency, fiscal responsibility and sustainability.
He urged stakeholders to make evidence-based submissions that would assist the National Assembly in producing practical legislation capable of delivering measurable developmental outcomes.
Abbas also reiterated the commitment of the 10th House to building a “People’s House” through inclusive governance and citizen participation, disclosing that the House would soon host an Open Week initiative aimed at deepening public engagement with Parliament and strengthening confidence in democratic institutions.
Earlier, Chairman of the House Committee on the South-South Development Commission, Julius Gbabojor Pondi, said the bill seeks to strengthen the commission’s financial base by introducing additional sources of funding.
According to him, the proposed amendment includes contributions from extractive industries, agricultural processing companies, allocations from the Ecological Fund and a share of Value Added Tax revenues, among other measures.
Pondi said the South-South region has for decades served as the nation’s foremost hub for oil and gas production and contributed immensely to national revenues, yet continues to grapple with poverty, environmental degradation, youth unemployment and infrastructure deficits.
He said the proposed amendment was also intended to place the SSDC substantially on par with other regional development commissions established by the Federal Government.
The lawmaker, however, noted that issues relating to public financing and statutory contributions have significant implications for governments, businesses, investors and host communities, stressing that the hearing was convened to allow stakeholders to present their views and recommendations.
“This Public Hearing is not intended to endorse predetermined conclusions. Rather, it is designed to provide an open, objective and constructive forum for dialogue,” Pondi said.
He assured participants that all memoranda and submissions made during the hearing would receive due consideration in the committee’s deliberations and recommendations to the House.
