Chairman of the South-South Development Commission (SSDC), Rt. Hon. Chibudom Nwuche, has pledged to deliver on the mandate of the commission in line with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda.
Speaking during the inauguration ceremony of the newly established regional development commissions in Abuja on Thursday, Nwuche expressed gratitude to members of the National Assembly for their role in passing the enabling bill.
“I appreciate members of the National Assembly who worked so hard to see that this bill was passed,” Nwuche said. “I am ready to work tirelessly to keep up with the commission’s mandate, and I pledge to collaborate closely with the Minister of Regional Development and other stakeholders to ensure the vision behind the creation of this commission is fully realized.”
The former Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives stressed that the SSDC would not only accelerate infrastructure development in the Niger Delta and South-South region but also serve as a vital driver of economic empowerment, social stability, and environmental renewal.
“Our goal is to bring meaningful projects that impact lives, restore trust in governance, and contribute directly to the Renewed Hope Agenda of Mr. President,” he assured.
Minister of Regional Development, Engr. Abubakar Momoh, described the inauguration as “a watershed in Nigeria’s giant stride towards equitable and sustainable regional development.”
“This historic step reflects President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s sincere aspiration and bold commitment to ensure holistic development of all regions of our country,” Momoh said. He further pledged that his ministry would sign performance bonds with the leadership of all commissions to ensure accountability, stressing: “Your role is not just about distributing funds or managing projects; it is about rebuilding trust in governance by delivering results that truly improve lives.”
Speaker of the House of Representatives, Rt. Hon. Abbas Tajudeen, hailed the initiative as a bold step to decentralize development. He urged the commissions to “avoid wasteful spending and focus on impactful infrastructure and social projects.”
Nasarawa State Governor, Abdullahi Sule, represented by Secretary to the State Government, Mr. Yusuf Ubangari, expressed delight that the National Council for Development Commissions (NCDC) would be headquartered in Nasarawa, announcing that the state had already provided an office complex to support its take-off.
Senator Titus Zam Tartenger, Chairman of the Senate Committee on NCDC, also commended the move, saying: “These development commissions will complement state efforts to bring transformative growth to communities. As legislators, we will exercise diligent oversight to ensure the commissions succeed.”
Earlier, Minister of State for Regional Development, H.E. Uba Maigari Ahmadu, described the commissions as “catalysts for structural renewal, social empowerment, and economic diversification,” reiterating their role in advancing peace, stability, and national unity.
With the SSDC now formally inaugurated, stakeholders say expectations are high for Nwuche’s leadership to drive inclusive growth across the South-South region.
