The Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Rt. Hon. Benjamin Okezie Kalu, disclosed that the South East Development Commission (SEDC) Bill, recently passed through the third reading in both the Green Chambers and the Senate, will soon be ready for transmission to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for his assent. Kalu made this known during a meeting with the Directors of the Institute for Peace, Security, and Development Studies (IPSDS) of Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka, led by their Co-Chairman, Chief Chikwe Udensi, at his office in Abuja.
He explained that the bill is currently at the Conference Committee stage for the concurrence of both chambers of the National Assembly on its sections and provisions. The Deputy Speaker highlighted the significance of the bill, emphasizing that it aims to address the infrastructural challenges in the South East region, particularly in the aftermath of the civil war.
Kalu expressed gratitude to the Institute for their willingness to collaborate with the Peace In South East Project (PISE-P), an initiative he co-founded to promote peace and development in the region. He stressed the importance of non-kinetic approaches to addressing insecurity, advocating for investments in infrastructure, healthcare, and education as alternatives to military interventions.
In response, the Co-Chairman of IPSDS, Chief Chikwe Udensi, expressed the Institute’s commitment to supporting Kalu’s efforts in achieving peace and development in the South East. He highlighted the vital role of security in facilitating development, emphasizing the need for collaboration to ensure the success of the project.
The meeting concluded with a mutual agreement to work together towards achieving peace, security, and sustainable development in the South East region. Both parties acknowledged the importance of research and evidence-based solutions in addressing the root causes of conflict and insecurity, and pledged to collaborate closely to implement effective strategies.
