Dr. Peter Mbah, governor of Enugu State, has asked the South East Development Commission (SEDC) to boost industrialisation in the area by prioritising the construction of a regional gas pipeline, a railway network, and other infrastructure projects.
Mbah claimed that the planned infrastructure would increase regional integration, connectivity among the five South East states, and economic activity.
Calling the commission a strategic platform to address the development requirements of the region, he also urged the National Assembly to guarantee sufficient funds for it.
These requests were expressed by the governor during his meeting with Senator Orji Uzor Kalu and the Senate Committee on the Southeast Development Commission on Monday.
Managing Director Mr. Mark Okoye and his staff accompanied the delegation as it made a courtesy call to the governor as part of their oversight visit to evaluate the SEDC’s programs and projects in person.
This committee, he added, “holds immense development prospects for our people in the South East,” making it one of the most significant in the National Assembly.
In order to encourage massive industrialisation and guarantee industry consistent access to gas, the governor prioritised the construction of a high-pressure gas pipeline linking key cities in the Southeast.
He made the case that the area ought to reap the benefits of gas resources discovered in the country’s broader south, emphasising that pipelines currently carry gas to other regions of Nigeria.
Having a high-pressure gas pipeline connecting all the major cities in the South East would be a massive undertaking, but the SEDC is a solid foundation that can handle it, according to Mbah.
To ease traffic on the region’s roads, enhance transportation, and promote trade, Mbah also suggested an interstate railway network connecting important cities across the five South East states.
He emphasised the importance of governments cooperating to create a shared blueprint for the planned rail system, with the Southeast Development Council serving as a meeting place for regional teams to work together.
He expressed his hope that the newly formed SEDC may serve as a platform to unite other states in a shared design for the South East railway line.
The governor went on to say that the commission’s initiatives in the agricultural sector include the flag-off of a 200-hectare integrated Agro Development Program at Nomeh Unateze, Enugu State, and that it also supports technology-driven businesses.
Mbah also emphasised the importance of the SEDC connecting young entrepreneurs with funding possibilities so they may grow their firms and contribute to economic growth after they reach the minimum viable product stage.
After President Bola Tinubu helped establish the SEDC, Kalu thanked him and recognised Mbah for their efforts to increase cooperation between the federal government and the South East.
He revealed that the matter regarding the commission’s headquarters’ location had been settled after the Enugu State Government offered temporary office space and a place for its permanent headquarters.
This has been a point of contention, but we wanted to see to it that the commission moved to Enugu State without delay. But I can tell you today that we’ve resolved the matter.