…Ihim, Iheanetu, others laud feat
After almost fifty years of of unprecedented cry of marginalization and attendant struggle restoration by the people of South East, light of reversal of this ugly fortune has appeared on the horizon in the wake of the passage of the South East Development Commission Bill by the Nigeria Senate.
The SEDC bill which has been in the works for almost two year now was the brainchild of Sen Samuel Nnaemeka Anyanwu(Samdaddy) who represents Imo East Senatorial District (Owerri Zone) in the upper legislative chamber actively supported by Sen Stella Oduah and the South East Senate Caucus.
The development bill which has been described as a rebirth of the post Civil war 3Rs of Reconciliation, Rehabilitation and Reconstruction, which was largely observed in the breach by military administrations is seeking to establish a body charged solely with the agenda to develop South East region.
According to the originator of the bill, Sen Anyanwu the intentions of the bill include causing the rehabilitation, reconstruction and repositioning of the region for the development of potentials which are critical to industrial growth and resource diversification.
It is also designed to address the dearth of infrastructure inbalance and other related environmental degradation posing a big challenge to the development of the South Eastern states.
Having passed first crucial test on the floor of Senate courtesy of the deft and tailored scheming and lobbying of Sen Anyanwu the SEDC bill is now on the floor of House of Representatives for the the necessary concurrence.
When passed by the House of Reps this historic bill would be transmitted to the president Mohammadu Buhari for his assent which will signal the legalization and legitimization of the commission.
In the wake of this unprecedented legislative achievement accolades have been pouring in from well meaning and patriotic South East indigenes who are visibly excited by the remarkable milestone.
Hon Mike Iheanetu, member representing Aboh Mbaise State Constituency in the Imo State House of Assembly, in his congratulatory message described the bill as the epitome and epicentre of legislative advocacy, even as he added that it would guarantee quantum leap for the development of South East zone.
While lauding the senator for the unprecedented feat, Hon Iheanetu expressed the hope that it would re- open the door for the struggle for the realization of the equalization of the States of the zones in the country.
Speaking in similar tone, the Speaker of the Imo State House of Assembly, Hon Acho Ihim showered praises on Sen Anyanwu for fighting to actualize the people centred bill.
He further stressed that his action is the type expected of legislators desirous of using lawmaking to bring growth and development to his people.
NIGERIA NEWSPOINT
