~by Godwin Orozo
Abuja, September 26, 2024–
The Nigerian Senate has approved the creation of the South West Development Commission (SWDC) after passing the South West Development Commission Establishment Bill 2024 for the third reading on Thursday.
The bill’s passage followed the presentation of a report by Senator Kaka Shehu Lawan, Chairman of the Senate Committee on Special Duties, during the plenary session. Senator Lawan highlighted that the bill is designed to drive socio-economic development in the South West region.
“If the Commission is established through presidential assent to the bill, 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 challenges in the region,” said Senator Lawan.
Following the presentation, the Senate moved into a committee of the whole for a clause-by-clause consideration of the bill, after which it was approved for a third reading.
Deputy Senate President, Senator Barau Jibrin, who presided over the session, commended Senator Kaka’s committee for their work. He expressed optimism about the impact of the South West Development Commission, stating, “Like other recently established development commissions, the SWDC will address the infrastructural and ecological challenges in the South West.”
Jibrin further emphasized the national significance of the initiative, adding, “The essence of these various development commissions is to fast-track development across the country. President Bola Tinubu has assented to similar bills for zonal development interventions and will surely assent to this one as well.”
With the Senate’s approval, the bill now awaits presidential assent to formally establish the South West Development Commission.
