Senator Kalu Affirms SEDC Must Base Operations in South-East

The Chairman of the Senate Committee on the South-East Development Commission (SEDC), Senator Orji Uzor Kalu, has strongly advised the commission’s leadership to relocate its operational base to the South-East region. Kalu emphasized that the SEDC must be situated within the area it was specifically created to serve.

This directive was issued by Senator Kalu on Monday during an oversight visit to various projects being undertaken by the South-East Development Commission in Enugu State. The lawmaker, who represents Abia North Senatorial District, underscored the importance of the commission’s activities and interventions directly reaching communities across all five South-East states, rather than being managed from Abuja.

Despite his firm stance on relocation, Senator Kalu expressed satisfaction with the progress observed at the commission’s headquarters in Enugu. He commended the management for the notable improvements recorded since the committee’s previous engagements. During their visit, Kalu stated that the committee inspected two facilities: the commission's current office and another structure provided by the Enugu State Government, which is currently undergoing completion for their use.

He noted that these developments had effectively addressed some of the committee’s earlier concerns regarding the commission’s initial decision to operate from the federal capital, Abuja, instead of the South-East. Kalu remarked, “We were quarrelling about our office being in Abuja. Today, we have seen two offices, one where they are staying and the one they are completing, which the government of Enugu State gave them. So, we are very impressed. Once they are back home to do what they are sent to do, nobody has problems with them.”

Kalu further urged the management to maintain the current pace of progress in anticipation of another scheduled oversight visit in December. He added, “Well, so far, we are making very good progress, unlike when we started. I’m sure you, both me and my colleagues, are seeing very serious progress. I hope that the Commission, especially the management team, sustains this progress. We will be here in December to see the progress so far. We are happy now that something is going on. We also want them to go to the grassroots to show the South Eastern people that they are on the ground.”

The lawmaker reiterated his warning against using Abuja as the commission's primary operational base, stressing that it should not be at the expense of the communities it was established to assist. “The only problem that I said before, and I repeat, is that they cannot operate from Abuja. They must operate from where they are set up. This is where they are located. Our quarrel before was about being in Abuja and not being in Enugu. So that quarrel is over now,” he concluded.

Established to foster development and tackle infrastructural and other developmental challenges throughout the region, the South-East Development Commission is expected by Kalu to ensure its projects and interventions extend beyond its headquarters, reaching grassroots communities across all five states. He emphasized the necessity for residents to witness tangible results on the ground. While acknowledging the commission’s relative newness, Kalu stressed the importance of its management sustaining the recorded progress and demonstrating unwavering commitment to its core mandate.