Reverse Degradation, Poverty, Senate Tells New SSDC Board
The Senate on Wednesday charged nominees to the board of the newly established South South Development Commission to focus on reversing the tide of environmental degradation, economic sabotage, and infrastructure collapse plaguing the oil-rich Niger Delta region.
The appeal was made during the screening of the commission’s board nominees by the Senate Committee on the South South Development Commission, chaired by Senator Benson Kombowei.
Leading the list of nominees is Hon. Chibudom Nwuche from Rivers State, who was nominated as Chairman, and Usoro Offiong Akpabio from Akwa Ibom State, who was named as Managing Director.
Others nominated as Executive Directors include Marcus Nie Eji (Projects – Rivers), Aganaba Preye Steven (Social and Human Capital Development – Bayelsa), Dr. Timi Alari Ayibatonye (Corporate Services – Delta), Joseph Ugheoke (Commercial and Environmental Development – Edo), and Ambassador Sony Abang (Finance – Cross River).
The region has suffered decades of neglect. We expect this commission to change the narrative by executing people-focused projects that tackle the root causes of unrest, poverty, and ecological damage,” he said.
Echoing his sentiment, Senator Asuquo Ekpeyong, Chairman of the Senate Committee on Niger Delta Affairs and a member of the SSDC panel, expressed optimism about the board’s potential, while underscoring the need for collaboration and inclusiveness.
Addressing Akpabio, the Managing Director nominee, he said: “Madam MD nominee, I believe you are one of the first women to lead a development commission of this kind. You have your work cut out for you—not just to serve but to lead by example.”
“We believe you are up to the task based on your credentials and the responses you’ve provided. I urge you to carry your colleagues along, to avoid internal conflicts that could derail the agency’s mission,” he added.
Ekpeyong also emphasised the need for the commission to partner with South-South states in harnessing and developing the region’s vast natural resources, including oil, gas, and solid minerals.
In her response, Akpabio promised that the commission would uphold equity in the distribution of projects and resources across the six states of the region.
She stressed the importance of human capital development and pledged a focus on underserved rural communities.
