There is wild jubilation among the people of the South West region, following the approval of the South West Development Commission, SWDC, by the Red Chamber in the National Assembly.

 

The Chairman of the Senate Committee on Special Duties, Kaka Shehu Lawan submitted the Report after it has passed for a third reading.

 

The Bill will then be passed to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for final approval.

 

There are already the Niger Delta Development Commission, (NDDC) the South East Development Commission, (SEDC) and the North West and North East Commissions.

 

The SWDC is expected to focus on special areas if Development in the South West comprising Lagos, Oyo, Ogun, Osun, Ekiti and Ondo States.

 

Lawan “If the commission is established through presidential assent, it will like other development-driven commissions receive funds from the federation account, donations from development partners, etc, to address infrastructural deficits and tackle ecological problems in the region”.

 

The bill was read for second time in February 2024.

 

It partly focuses on funds allocated by the Federal Government for capital projects in the South West region.

 

The Alliance for Yoruba Democratic Movements, (AYDM) in a chat with Irohinoodua described the bill as a welcome Development.

 

AYDM General Secretary, Mr Popoola Ajayi told our correspondent that the Bill should focus on agriculture, security, youth empowerment and environmental sustainability.

 

He said “This is a good Development. We look forward to see a respected Yoruba person, a person of character and dignity to pilot this Commission. It should focus on agriculture, rural development, security and environmental development.”

 

The AYDM however warned that the Commission cannot take the place of restructuring which he said is the minimum demand of majority of Yoruba people.

 

The South West Senators Caucus has expressed great delight and deep appreciation to members of the Caucus over the passage of the South West Development Commission Bill at the Senate Plenary Session of Thursday, 26th September, 2024.

 

In a statement issued in Abuja by its Secretary, Senator Shuaib Afolabi Salisu, representing Ogun Central Senatorial District, the Caucus enthused that the bill, a collaborative effort of all the Senators from the South West Zone, is yet another demonstration of a shared vision and commitment of the Senators to advance and protect the interests of the Zone at all times, within the context of a united, secure and prosperous Nigeria.

 

The South West Development Commission, the principal objective of the Bill, will complement the development efforts of the six States in South West and in particular boost the Development Agenda of South West Nigeria (DAWN), a joint initiative of the South West States.

 

Whilst noting that the Bill still has to receive the concurrence of the House of Representatives to be ready for the Presidential Assent, the Caucus notes with confidence that the Honourable Members from the South West Zone are equally committed to this initiative and will work collaboratively, as is done in the Senate, to ensure easy and expeditious passage in the House.

 

The Caucus thanks the leadership of the National Assembly, particularly the Senate President, Distinguished Senator Godswill Obot Akpabio, CON, and Speaker of the House of Representatives, Rt. Hon. Tajudeen Abbas, Ph.D. for their leadership and facilitation of the passage of the Bill.

 

“We note and thank all the National Assembly members (past and serving) from the zone who have made efforts at various times that have now culminated in the passage of this Bill in the 10th Assembly. As members of the 10th Senate, we are proud of this milestone. We want to reassure all the stakeholders that the South West Caucus in the National Assembly remains unwaveringly committed to the full realisation of the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR, for the benefit of all Nigerians, including our beloved South West Zone”, the statement concluded.