SEDC mandate will address devastating effects civil war - Reps

Hon. Chris Nkwonta, Chairman of the House of Representatives Committee on South-East Development Commission (SEDG), has stated that the commission's mandate will be instrumental in addressing the severe consequences of the Nigerian Civil War, decades of neglect, and infrastructural deficits across the five South-East states. During an oversight visit to the commission, Nkwonta expressed confidence that establishing the SEDC headquarters would provide the necessary institutional framework to transform the Reconstruction, Rehabilitation, and Reconciliation philosophy into concrete development initiatives for the region.

At the commission, Managing Director Mr. Mark Okoye highlighted that the four-storey facility, donated by the Enugu State Government, would significantly enhance the commission's operational capacity and efficiency. He explained that the centralized location of departmental activities, executive management, and staff would improve coordination, strategic planning, and project execution, eliminating administrative fragmentation and fostering long-term planning and rapid implementation of regional development master plans.

Okoye also emphasized the financial advantages of the rent-free building, stating that it would reduce overhead and real estate costs, enabling the commission to allocate more resources towards critical development projects, such as road construction and community-based interventions. He further discussed regional cooperation and innovation, mentioning that the headquarters would serve as a hub for strengthening collaboration among the five South-East states and promoting initiatives to stimulate entrepreneurship and technological advancement.

Notably, the South-East Venture Capital Programme, launched in May 2026, is one such initiative aimed at providing funding for young technology innovators, establishing innovation hubs, and mitigating youth migration to economic centers like Lagos and Abuja.

Okoye also disclosed that the SEDC headquarters would bolster the commission's ability to attract investments through the proposed South-East Investment Company, which would serve as an institutional platform to connect private-sector investors, diaspora members, and other funding sources with major development projects across the region.