South-East Development Commission: Chekwas Okorie Urges Region to Back SEDC

|By Adejumo Adekunle- The pioneer National Chairman of APGA, Chief Chekwas Okorie, has called on stakeholders across the South-East to support the South-East Development Commission (SEDC) and avoid actions that could weaken the agency.

Speaking in Enugu on Wednesday, Okorie said the South-East Development Commission represents a major opportunity to tackle long-standing development challenges in the region. He warned that public disputes could distract the commission from its mandate.

His comments followed recent disagreements between the commission and the Senate Committee overseeing its activities. The committee, chaired by Senator Orji Uzor Kalu, questioned some of the commission’s spending, including office accommodation and consultancy costs.

However, Okorie urged caution. He said the South-East should not undermine an institution created to address decades of neglect and the lasting effects of the Nigerian civil war.

“I have been involved in the struggle for the South-East for over 50 years,” he said. “Let us stop hurting ourselves when good things are beginning to come our way.”

Furthermore, Okorie praised President Bola Tinubu for establishing the South-East Development Commission and giving it a clear development mandate. He argued that oversight should be conducted responsibly and without creating public perceptions of division within the region.

At the same time, he criticised the commission’s communication strategy. According to him, the lack of regular public updates has encouraged rumours and speculation about its activities.

Therefore, he urged the commission to improve engagement with the public by providing regular reports on projects, achievements and the use of funds already released.

Okorie maintained that cooperation, transparency and effective oversight are essential if the South-East Development Commission is to fulfil its mission of driving growth and development across the region.