The Chairman of the South-South Development Commission, Chibudom Nwuche, says the commission will prioritise rail and road infrastructure, industries, agriculture, telecommunications, urban renewal, and housing as part of its mandate to accelerate development in the region.
Nwuche made this known on Thursday at the inaugural board meeting of the commission in Abuja.
The SSDC was inaugurated on August 28, 2025, by the Minister of State for Regional Development, Uba Maigari Ahmadu, following President Bola Tinubu’s assent to the South-South Development Commission Bill in March.
The commission was established to tackle economic, social, and environmental challenges in the oil-rich states of Akwa Ibom, Bayelsa, Cross River, Delta, Edo, and Rivers.
Nwuche, a former Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, recalled his role in the passage of the Niger Delta Development Commission Act during the Fourth Assembly, noting that the creation of the SSDC was a further demonstration of commitment to the Niger Delta’s progress.
“With the bold step taken by Mr President in signing the SSDC Act into law, there is now room for accelerated development of the country as a whole,” he said.
He explained that Section 8 of the Act charges the commission with identifying the root causes of underdevelopment in the South-South and implementing sustainable projects and programmes.
“We are mandated to drive the region’s development, including railways and road transportation, industries, agriculture, telecommunications, electricity, and housing. We shall meticulously address these areas by strategically deploying resources to ensure steady and sustainable progress.
“We will also prioritise the empowerment of youth and women, who have disproportionately endured the adverse effects of oil production, particularly amid unprecedented unemployment in our oil-bearing states,” Nwuche stated.
He pledged close collaboration with state governments, the National Assembly, and development partners, including the Niger Delta Development Commission and relevant federal agencies, to avoid duplication of projects.
“Fulfilling this mandate will not happen by chance. It will depend on deliberate, bold, and sometimes difficult choices,” he added.
Also speaking, the Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of the SSDC, Usoro Akpabio, described the South-South as “a region ready for the world,” stressing that the commission’s programmes would bring people closer to prosperity.
“Through deliberate investment, sound policy engagement, and meaningful partnerships, we will build the economic backbone of our region. Our cities, towns, and rural communities will not be left behind but positioned to lead.
“Infrastructure remains central to this transformation. Roads, ports, energy, and rural connectivity are critical assets that will unlock opportunities, enhance trade, and attract investment. Every bridge we build, every highway we expand, every fibre-optic line we lay will bring our people closer to prosperity,” she said.
