The Chairman of the Senate Committee on the South-East Development Commission (SEDC), Senator Orji Uzor Kalu, has insisted that the commission must operate from the region it was established to serve, urging its management to sustain progress on its Enugu facilities and extend interventions to grassroots communities.
Kalu made the remarks on Monday during an oversight visit to the commission’s facilities and projects in Enugu State.
The senator, who represents Abia North Senatorial District, said the commission must establish a strong operational presence in the South-East rather than rely on Abuja as its base.
He expressed satisfaction with the progress recorded since the committee’s previous engagements, particularly efforts to establish the commission’s headquarters in Enugu.
Kalu said the committee inspected two facilities during the visit: the office currently being used by the commission and another building provided by the Enugu State Government that is being completed for its use.
“We were quarrelling about our office being in Abuja. Today, we have seen two offices, one where they are staying and the one they are completing, which the government of Enugu State gave them,” he said.
He added that the development had addressed some of the committee’s earlier concerns about the commission’s decision to operate from Abuja rather than the South-East.
“So, we are very impressed. Once they are back home to do what they are sent to do, nobody has problems with them,” Kalu said.
December Oversight Visit Planned
The lawmaker urged the commission’s management to sustain the progress recorded ahead of another oversight visit scheduled for December.
He said the committee had observed improvements compared with its earlier engagements and expected the management to maintain the momentum.
“Well, so far, we are making very good progress, unlike when we started. I’m sure you, both me and my colleagues, are seeing very serious progress. I hope that the Commission, especially the management team, sustains this progress,” he said.
Kalu also called on the commission to take its activities beyond its administrative offices and ensure that communities across the region benefit from its interventions.
“We will be here in December to see the progress so far. We are happy now that something is going on. We also want them to go to the grassroots to show the South Eastern people that they are on the ground,” he added.
The senator reiterated that the commission should not use Abuja as a substitute for operating from the region.
“The only problem that I said before, and I repeat, is that they cannot operate from Abuja. They must operate from where they are set up. This is where they are located,” he said.
Focus on Regional Development
The South-East Development Commission was established to promote development across Abia, Anambra, Ebonyi, Enugu and Imo states.
Its responsibilities include supporting infrastructure development, attracting investment and improving living standards across the region.
The location of its headquarters has attracted scrutiny during its early operations. The commission has previously said it planned to relocate fully to Enugu once rehabilitation work on a building provided by the state government was completed.
Kalu’s latest comments reinforce the Senate committee’s expectation that the commission should establish its operational presence in the region and demonstrate results at the grassroots.
He urged the management to sustain the progress observed during the visit and ensure that residents across the five states could see the impact of the commission’s projects.
The committee is expected to return in December to assess developments and review the progress made.
