Reps deepen consultations on bill to boost South-South development commission funding

By Gift ChapiOdekina, Abuja The House of Representatives Committee on the South-South Development Commission has intensified consultations with key stakeholders on a proposed amendment to the South-South Development Commission (Establishment) Act, 2025, aimed at strengthening the Commission’s funding framework to fast-track development across the South-South region. The committee resumed its public hearing on Wednesday, bringing together government agencies, petroleum regulators, oil industry operators and other stakeholders to scrutinise the proposed amendment and ensure that the legislation reflects broad stakeholder input before its consideration by the House. Julius Pondi, explained that the hearing was reconvened after several critical stakeholders were unable to attend the initial session held on July 8 due to their participation in the Nigerian Oil and Gas (NOG) Conference.

He said the committee considered it necessary to provide all relevant stakeholders, particularly those in the oil and gas industry, the opportunity to contribute to the legislative process because of the sector’s strategic importance to the proposed amendment. Pondi reaffirmed the House of Representatives’ commitment to transparent, inclusive and participatory lawmaking, stressing that public hearings provide an avenue for government institutions, industry players, professional bodies, civil society organisations and host communities to shape legislation through constructive engagement. According to him, the amendment seeks to broaden the funding sources of the South-South Development Commission to enable it to effectively fulfil its mandate of driving sustainable development across the region.

He noted that despite serving as the nation’s economic hub through petroleum production, maritime commerce and industrial activities, the South-South continues to grapple with serious developmental challenges, including poor infrastructure, environmental degradation and socio-economic concerns that require sustained intervention and adequate financial support. Pondi assured stakeholders that every memorandum and presentation submitted would be carefully examined before the committee makes its recommendations to the House, adding that the objective is to produce legislation that is equitable, practical and capable of advancing the developmental aspirations of …