President Bola Tinubu has signed into law bills to accelerate development across geopolitical zones in the country.
The president first assented to the North-West Development Commission (Establishment) Bill 2024, then the South-East Development Commission (Establishment) Bill 2023.
A statement by the presidency on Wednesday explained that the North-West Development Commission is set up to facilitate the reconstruction of roads, houses, and business premises destroyed by multidimensional crises, as well as tackle poverty, literacy level, ecological problems, and any other related environmental or development challenges in North-West states.
Jibrin Barau, Deputy Senate President and sponsor of the bill said the signing of the proposed legislation is a “testament” to Tinubu’s “commitment to addressing the challenges facing the North-West geopolitical zone and indeed all parts of the country”.
In addition, the South-East Development Commission is established to ensure the reconstruction and rehabilitation of roads, houses, and other infrastructural damages suffered by the zone, as well as tackle ecological problems and other related environmental or developmental challenges in South-East states; Abia, Enugu, Ebonyi, Imo, and Anambra.
The South-East bill was sponsored by Benjamin Kalu, the Deputy Speaker who represents Bende Federal Constituency of Abia State.
The bill was passed by the Senate and House of Representatives and transmitted to the President in June for assent.
In a statement issued by Levinus Nwabughiogu, his chief press secretary, Kalu expressed appreciation to the president for signing the bill into law.
The Deputy Speaker said the Commission will “rehabilitate Igbo land” and foster unity among the people.
The President said he believes in building the nation on the fulcrum of fairness, equity, and unity; hence, he is committed to ensuring equitable development, inclusive governance, and the provision of qualitative services to all Nigerians, no matter where they reside, while knitting even more tightly together the national fabric.
