The Hon. Speaker,
Federal House of Representatives,
Nigeria National Assembly,
Three Arms Zone,
Abuja.

Sir,

REQUEST FOR SPEEDY RETRIEVAL, CONSIDERATION, AND PASSAGE OF SOUTHEAST DEVELOPMENT COMMISSION BILL

I write to remind the 10th Assembly under your able leadership of a pending bill sponsored during Hon. Yakubu Dogara’s administration on the establishment of the Southeast Development Commission. This bill was initiated to address the agitation for self-government by the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) and bring the national government closer to the people of the eastern region.

In a federal presidential system, regionalizing development projects at the expense of others leads to uneven development, crawling economy, undue hatred, ethnic bigotry, and social challenges. The Southeastern region deserves consideration in development projects and infrastructures, noting its contributions to the national economy. The region has been neglected, and your leadership is trusted to champion deliberations towards retrieving, considering, and adopting the abandoned bill.

Nigeria has economic potentialities, and spreading development plans would trigger more yields than losses. Neglecting the Southeastern region has caused drawbacks, including security threats, development bottlenecks, and rising criminalities.

The region has not been justly treated, denied an additional component state, and feels marginalized. Truth is a force difficult to suppress, and acknowledging the challenges creates an avenue for problem-solving.

The Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) was created to address underdevelopment, but it is not enough to balance the true development needs of the entire region. Similarly, the Northeast Development Commission (NEDC) was established to address the effects of Boko Haram.

Lack of government commitment in empowering youth contributes to socio-economic problems. Meaningfully engaging youth reduces crime prevalence and contributes to economic development.

The unknown gunmen attacking people in the Southeast require swift government attention. Strategic policies can surmount these ills.

The statutory obligations of existing development commissions in the South South and Northeast are not different from those in the Southeast. The same relief treatment should be extended to the Southeastern region, which has suffered inequality.

I request that you present this letter to your colleagues for treatment and approval.

Yours faithfully,

Chief Dr. Emeka Charles Kalu, President ECK Foundation.