Nigerian Senate: South East Devt Commission Bill Passes Through First Reading

The South East Development Commission (SEDC)  bill has scaled through the first reading on the floor of the Nigerian Senate.

Naija News recalls that the bill was earlier passed successfully by the Eight Senate but failed to receive presidential assent.

The SEDC Bill was reintroduced and sponsored by the Senator representing Anambra North, Stella Adaeze Oduah.

The Commission when established is expected to receive and manage funds from an allocation from the federation for the rehabilitation, reconstruction and reparation for lost houses and business of victims of the Nigerian Civil War.

The commission would also address any other environmental or developmental challenge and for related matters in the geo-political zone.

Clause 15 (2a) of the Bill which identifies source of funding for the commission, stipulated that the equivalent of 10 per cent of the total monthly statutory allocation due to the member states of the commission shall be from the Federation Account.

The Bill also seeks the establishment of a governing board for the commission which shall include one person each from the other five geopolitical zones of the country.