The South East Development Commission (SEDC) Bill recently signed into law by President Bola Tinubu will begin the process of addressing the grievances of the people of the Southeast.
This is according to the acting Youth Leader, Ohaneze Ndigbo Worldwide, Mazi Chukwuma Okpalaezeukwu, who spoke in a chat Wednesday with newsmen in Awka, Anambra State.
The bill has been up for consideration at the national assembly, with a lot of arguments for and against it, before it was eventually passed and forwarded to the President for accent.
According to Okpalaezeukwu, who commended President Tinubu for signing the bill into law, through the move, the President has finally ended the age-long civil war in Southeast.
He recalled that the war, which ended on the Treaty of Reconciliation, Rehabilitation, and Reconstruction, resurfaced through the various denials and marginalization against the Southeast region occasioned by the government at the center.
This he said, brought back the numerous Biafra agitations.
The Igbo youth leader expressed confidence that the Commission would not only heal the region but further add value to collective efforts to resolve peace and stability in Nigeria and Southeast in particular.
He said, “We commend President Tinubu for the boldness and patriotic act of granting accent to the Southeast Development Commission Bill.
“I must commend all stakeholders who played critical roles to ensuring this milestone achievement that is long overdue became a reality.
“I thank particularly Deputy Speaker, House of Representatives and his colleagues, Southeast Governors, and others.
“By granting accent to this Commission, Tinubu has finally ended the age-long civil war in Southeast. Recall the war ended with the Treaty of Reconciliation, Rehabilitation, and Reconstruction, but the federal government didn’t implement that treaty.
“This is one of the basic factors for the reappearance of Biafran agitation which is devastating not just to the economy of the zone, but its peace and security.
“We’re hopeful that the 3R treaty, through the Commission, shall be attended to, to demonstrate Reconciliation, enhance Rehabilitation, and effect Reconstruction.
“We’re hopeful this Commission shall go a long way to add value to our collective efforts to resolve peace and stability in Nigeria and Southeast in particular.
“We’re also optimistic that the Commission shall assist in healing our nation and Southeast on the basis of equity, justice and fairness. For a people denied justice will not be interested in peace.
“We reaffirm our absolute support and solidarity to the Tinubu-led administration.”
The bill, sponsored by Deputy Speaker, House of Representatives, Benjamin Kalu alongside other house members from the southeast region, sought to establish a commission that would be charged with the responsibility to receive and manage funds from the allocation of the federation account for the reconstruction and rehabilitation of roads, houses and other infrastructural damage suffered by the region as a result of the effect of the civil war after 54 years.
The commission will also tackle the ecological problems and any other related environmental or developmental challenges in the Southeast States which include Abia, Imo, Enugu, Anambra, and Ebonyi.
