SSDC Boss Calls for Transparency as South-South Development Commission Takes Off

Chibudom Nwuche, the Chairman of the Governing Board of the South-South Development Commission, has emphasized the need for the board members and management to maintain the highest standards of transparency, prudence, and professionalism. This charge was given during the Fourth Regular Meeting of the Governing Board of the Commission in Abuja. The South-South Development Commission, established by the Federal Government to address infrastructure deficits and accelerate socio-economic growth in the region, was formally inaugurated on March 25, 2025, after President Bola Tinubu assented to the South-South Development Commission Bill. The President later announced the appointment of the governing board members on May 8, 2025. Nwuche stressed that teamwork, collective responsibility, and strict adherence to the Commission's Establishing Act, as well as existing government regulations and guidelines, are crucial for the commission's success. He cautioned officials against actions that could undermine the credibility of the commission or erode public confidence in its activities. According to Nwuche, 'We must not do anything that would bring ridicule to this Commission, embarrassment to our region, or disappointment to those who entrusted us with this important national responsibility.' The former lawmaker noted that the development challenges confronting the region require collective effort, saying no individual possesses all the expertise needed to achieve the commission's ambitious goals. 'None of us, not even myself as chairman, the managing director, executive directors, nor any member of the board, possesses all that is required to achieve the lofty goals for which this Commission was created,' he said. The mandate entrusted to the commission under the Establishing Act is broad, strategic, and significant, seeking to accelerate the socio-economic development of the South-South region through investments in critical sectors such as infrastructure, transportation, energy, waterways, agriculture, industry, environmental remediation, and other key areas provided for in the Act. Nwuche commended the board members and management for laying the foundation for the commission's operations despite initial challenges encountered since their inauguration. While acknowledging the release of overhead funds to the commission, he disclosed that capital allocations were still undergoing the necessary budgetary processes. The SSDC chairman further stressed the urgency of delivering tangible results to the people of the region, who have high expectations of the newly established agency. 'The people of the South-South region expect tangible results, and rightly so. We owe our people and the nation a Commission that is focused, disciplined, transparent, innovative, accountable, and results-oriented,' he stated. Nwuche also called for stronger collaboration with governors of the South-South states, the National Assembly, the Ministry of Regional Development, development partners, and other stakeholders whose mandates align with those of the commission. The meeting was attended by the Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of the Commission, Usoro Akpabio; Acting Secretary and Board Member, Femi Agge; board members and executive directors, including those overseeing finance, projects, corporate services, commercial and environmental services, and social and human capital development. The South-South Development Commission is expected to spearhead development interventions across the six states of the South-South region, focusing on critical sectors such as infrastructure, transportation, energy, agriculture, environmental remediation, and human capital development.