The Senate has passed the South West Development Bill for a third reading, marking a significant step toward the establishment of a new commission aimed at addressing infrastructural and ecological challenges in the region.
The bill’s passage followed a report presented by Senator Kaka Shehu Lawan, Chairman of the Senate Committee on Special Duties.
“If the commission is established through presidential assent, it will, like other development-driven commissions, receive funds from the federation account, donations from development partners, and other sources to address infrastructural deficits and tackle ecological problems in the region,” Lawan stated.
First read for the second time in February 2024, the bill outlines the commission’s responsibilities, including managing funds allocated by the Federal Government for capital projects such as the construction, reconstruction, and rehabilitation of roads, houses, and other infrastructure. Additionally, the commission is tasked with tackling ecological and environmental challenges to fast-track the socioeconomic development of the South West states.
With the bill now awaiting presidential assent, its implementation would establish a dedicated body to focus on the development of key infrastructure and environmental protection across the region, potentially accelerating growth and addressing long-standing issues affecting the South West.
