Former Minister of Labour and Productivity, Chief Emeka Wogu, has said that the signing of South East Development Commission bill to law by President Bola Tinubu marks a new dawn in the efforts to rebuild the region from the ruins of Biafra war and infrastructural dilapidation.
The bill sought to establish a commission that will be charged with the responsibility to receive and manage funds from allocation of the federation account for the reconstruction and rehabilitation of roads, houses and other infrastructural damage suffered by the region as a result of the effect of the civil war after 54 years.
Wogu in an interview with journalists in Umuahia, commended the President for assenting to the bill thereby approving the creation of the commission, just as he hailed the sponsor of the bill, and Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Hon. Ben Kalu and other lawmakers who envisioned the initiative.
He said; “In the past 54 years there has been agitation for proper re-integration of the South East. After the war, General Yakubu Gowon came up with a conciliatory approach, the three “Rs”: Reconciliation, Rehabilitation, and Reconstruction but I must state that the signing of the bill reinforces the reintegration of South East. Ndigbo are happy that the bill came at the right time when it appeared the region has been neglected.”
The former minister stated Tinubu has taken the lead in making sure that the South East region is given its pride of place by approving the setting up of the commission.
“We are grateful to the President, we also commend the Deputy Speaker, Hon. Ben Kalu and his colleagues for their foresight. The commission would complement all the efforts in ensuring that there is peace and sustainable development of the South East. We are also happy with the Governors and stakeholders who supported the initiatives.”
He urged the South East to reciprocate the federal government’s gesture by supporting the APC led administration.
“It is now time for Ndigbo to support the excellent strides of Mr. President and APC in Nigeria. It is a renewed hope and the South East believed their hope has been renewed.”
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