The Senate has passed the South West Development Commission Establishment Bill 2024, as an effort to expedite action on the infrastructural development of the region.
The passage followed the presentation of a report by the Chairman of the Senate Committee on Special Duties, Senator Kaka Shehu Lawan, during plenary.
In his presentation, Kaka explained that the bill is designed to foster the socio-economic development of the South West region.
“According to him, if the Commission is established through presidential assent, it will be like other zonal development commissions, receive funds from the federation account, donations from development partners, and other sources.
He added that these will be used to address infrastructural deficits and tackle ecological challenges in the region,”.
Following the presentation, the Senate moved into the Committee of the Whole for a clause-by-clause consideration of the bill, after which it was passed for the third reading.
On his part, the Deputy President of the Senate, Barau Jibrin, who presided over the session, commended the committee led by Senator Kaka for their efforts.
He noted that the South West Development Commission, like similar commissions recently established, would address both infrastructural and ecological challenges in the region.
“Jibrin the purpose of setting up these development commissions is to fast-track the development of the entire country.
He added that President Bola Tinubu had already assented to similar bills for zonal development interventions and expressed confidence that he would do the same for the South West Development Commission Bill.
The bill was earlier sponsored by Senator Gbenga Daniel, APC, Ogun East.
