(SINL NIGERIA) The South East Development Commission (SEDC) has held extensive stakeholders engagements in the last 150 days with a view to enhance the mandate of the commission.
Specifically, the commission has interacted with critical players, sought their views and expectations on the newly created commission.
The Managing Director of SEDC, Mark Okoye made the disclosure shortly after an interactive session with the Senate committee on South East Development Commission on Thursday in Abuja.
Recall, President Bola Tinubu on July 24, 2024 assented to the South-East Development Commission (Establishment) Bill, 2023.
According to the presidency, the law will accelerate development in the South East geo-political zone.
Okoye stated that the SEDC has been able to put together a plan that will address challenges in the zone, saying “very soon people will start to see some of the work of the commission”.
“We are very confident that we have been able to put together a plan that will address challenges, so I am sure, very soon people will start to see some of our work.
“We’ve been in office for about 150 days and in that time we’ve tried to do quite a number of things. Developing a plan, ensuring that plan reflects the yearnings of the people from the Southeast.
“Also ensuring that the plan aligns with the Renewed Hope Agenda of Mr. President. And then went on an extensive stakeholder engagement with numerous stakeholders, private sector, government organisations, state governments, local governments, academia, CSOs and all of that”.
The Managing Director added that the commission has no funding challenge, pointing out that “the role of government is not always determined by funding”.
“What people see that funding does are projects and programmes. But the process of putting together a clear plan, putting together a policy, ensuring that you’ve got the stakeholders to buy into that plan, this is ultimately the most important part that determines the success of an organisation” Okoye said.
