Mark Aba, Abuja
Chairman of the House of Representatives Committee on the South-East Development Commission (SEDC), Reps Chris Nkwonta, has described the Commission’s new headquarters in Enugu State as a strategic institution that will accelerate the socio-economic transformation of the South-East.
Nkwonta stated this on Friday during an oversight visit by members of the committee to inspect ongoing projects and assess the Commission’s infrastructural development.
He expressed satisfaction with the progress made on the headquarters, noting that the facility would provide the institutional capacity required to translate the philosophy of Reconstruction, Rehabilitation and Reconciliation (the Three Rs) into tangible development outcomes across the region.
According to him, the SEDC has a critical responsibility to address the lingering consequences of the Nigerian Civil War, decades of neglect and infrastructure deficits affecting the five states of the South-East.
“The Commission’s strategic interventions would facilitate the rehabilitation of federal roads, public infrastructure and urban centres, while stimulating economic activities, creating opportunities and improving the living conditions of residents,” he said.
The Managing Director of the SEDC, Mark Okoye, disclosed that the headquarters was a four-storey building donated by the Enugu State Government to strengthen the Commission’s institutional and operational capacity.
He explained that housing the Commission’s departments, management and staff in one location would enhance administrative efficiency, improve coordination and strengthen strategic planning and project implementation.
Okoye added that operating from a rent-free facility would significantly reduce administrative overheads, allowing the Commission to channel more financial resources into priority development areas, including road construction, critical infrastructure and community-based projects.
On youth empowerment and economic development, the managing director highlighted the South-East Venture Capital Programme, launched in May 2026, as a major initiative aimed at supporting young technology entrepreneurs and innovators.
He said the programme was designed to facilitate the establishment of innovation hubs, promote entrepreneurship and address the growing migration of young talents from the region to major economic centres such as Lagos and Abuja.
Okoye also disclosed that the Commission was working towards establishing a South-East Investment Company to mobilise private-sector investments, diaspora funding and other financial resources for large-scale development projects across the region.
He expressed optimism that improved institutional coordination, strategic partnerships and sustained investments would unlock the region’s economic potential, expand opportunities for its people and position the South-East as a competitive destination for domestic and international investors.
The oversight visit underscores the National Assembly’s responsibility to monitor the activities of government institutions and ensure accountability in the implementation of their statutory mandates.
The SEDC is expected to play a central role in driving coordinated development across the South-East through strategic investments in infrastructure, economic empowerment and other critical sectors.
About the Author
