By Oluwkaemi Kindness
The House of Representatives Committee on the South-East Development Commission (SEDC) has urged the Commission to accelerate efforts towards addressing infrastructure deficits, attracting investment and creating economic opportunities across the South-East.
The committee chairman, Chris Nkwonta, gave the charge during an oversight visit to the Commission’s headquarters in Enugu State, where lawmakers inspected ongoing projects and assessed its institutional development.
Nkwonta expressed satisfaction with the progress made on the headquarters, describing the facility as a critical foundation for driving regional transformation.
He urged the Commission to translate the philosophy of the Three Rs — Reconstruction, Rehabilitation and Reconciliation — into tangible development programmes capable of addressing years of neglect and infrastructure challenges across the five South-East states.
In his response, the Managing Director of the SEDC, Mark Okoye, outlined initiatives designed to stimulate economic growth, empower young entrepreneurs and attract investment to the region.
He highlighted the South-East Venture Capital Programme, launched in May 2026, as a major intervention aimed at funding young technology innovators, establishing innovation hubs and reducing youth migration to economic centres such as Lagos and Abuja.
Okoye also disclosed plans to establish the South-East Investment Company to connect private-sector investors, Nigerians in the diaspora and other funding sources with strategic development projects across the region.
On infrastructure, he said the Commission would support the rehabilitation of federal roads, public buildings and urban centres, while implementing community-based development initiatives.
The SEDC managing director further explained that the Commission’s new four-storey headquarters, donated by the Enugu State Government, would strengthen administrative coordination by bringing its departments, management and staff under one roof.
He added that operating from a rent-free facility would significantly reduce administrative and property expenses, allowing more resources to be channelled into development projects.
The oversight visit is part of the National Assembly’s monitoring responsibilities to assess the Commission’s performance and ensure its mandate translates into measurable socio-economic development across the South-East.
