Abuja — Chairman of the Governing Board of the South-South Development Commission, SSDC, Rt. Hon. Chibudom Nwuche, has charged members of the Board and Management to deliver tangible results, warning that the people of the South-South region expect impact, not excuses.
Nwuche, a former Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives said this at the 4th Regular Meeting of the Governing Board at the weekend, urging the Commission to uphold accountability, transparency, prudence, integrity and professionalism in managing the regional agency.
“We must not do anything that would bring ridicule to this Commission, embarrassment to our region, or disappointment to those who entrusted us with this important national responsibility,” Nwuche stated.
“Our people expect results, and rightly so. We owe our people and the nation a Commission that is focused, disciplined, transparent, innovative, accountable and results-oriented.
This reality underscores the urgency of our mission and the importance of pursuing our mandate with focus, discipline, diligence and a strong sense of responsibility.”
“None of us, not myself as Chairman, the Managing Director, the Executive Directors, nor any member of the Board, possesses all that is required to achieve the lofty goals for which this Commission was created,” he said.
“The mandate under the Establishing Act is broad and strategic. It seeks to accelerate the socio-economic development of the South-South through investments in infrastructure, transportation, energy, waterways, agriculture, industry, environmental remediation and other key areas.
“To achieve these objectives, we must remain open-minded, collaborative and receptive to constructive ideas from every member of the Board and Management. We must also ensure that personal interests and egos do not hinder us from fulfilling the mandate entrusted to us by Mr. President and the people of the South-South region.”
The Chairman commended Ms. Usoro Akpabio, Managing Director/CEO and the Management Team for laying the foundation for operations despite early challenges.
He noted that overhead funds have been received and capital allocations are undergoing budgetary processes, and urged Management to fast-track quick-win, medium-term and long-term project blueprints for immediate implementation once funds are released.
Nwuche reminded members that although President Bola Tinubu announced their appointments on May 8, 2025 and the Senate confirmed them on June 26, 2025, the Commission legally came into existence on March 25, 2025 when the SSDC Bill was assented to. He said with less than three years left in the current Board’s tenure, time is of the essence.
He called for close collaboration with South-South governors, the National Assembly, the Ministry of Regional Development, stakeholders across the region and other development agencies with aligned mandates.
Nwuche also appreciated President Tinubu and the National Assembly leadership for establishing SSDC and other regional development commissions, describing them as vehicles for accelerating development and promoting balanced growth nationwide.
The meeting was attended by members of the Board and Management of the Commission, including: Ms. Usoro Akpabio, MD/CEO; Barr. Femi Oise Agge, Member/Acting Secretary; Dr. Nkereuwem Enong; Alh. Yusuf Rassq Amao; and others.
