A bill for the establishment of the South East
Development Commission, on Wednesday,
scaled second reading in the Senate, one
week after a similar bill was thrown out in
House of Representatives.

The bill co-sponsored by two South-eastern
senators, Stella Oduah, PDP-Anambra, and
Samuel Anyanwu, PDP-Imo, was subsequently
referred to the committee on establishment
and public service matters, which, Senate
President Bukola Saraki ruled, should report
back in four weeks.

The bill, SB 303, seeks to establish the
development commission to “act as catalysts
to develop the commercial potential of the
Southeast,” according to Mr. Anyanwu in his
lead debate.

“It will also help enhance infrastructural
development of the region,” he said.
He noted how the region had contributed to
Nigeria, “yet, the federal government is not
doing enough” for the region.

He said the passage of the bill would
engender “greater sense of belonging to the
Nigerian project (in the southeast).”

Apart from the Deputy Senate President, Ike
Ekweremadu, who spoke briefly to urge his
colleagues to support the bill, no further
deliberation was allowed.

Mr. Saraki called for vote, which resulted in
positive outcome for the bill.

http://www.premiumtimesng.com/regional/ssouth-east/233292-bill-to-establish-south-east-development-commission-makes-progress-in-senate.html