Senators split over S/West Dev. Commission bill
*Bill passes second reading
The debate on a bill for an Act to establish the South West Development Commission yesterday generated controversy among senators supporting and opposing the passage of the bill.
Sponsored by Senator Ibikunle Amosun (Ogun Central), the commission is set to act as a catalyst to develop the commercial and industrial potentials of the south-west and educational challenges as well as security issues.
Controversy brewed when a northern senator opposed the bill on the pretext that it is capable of disintegrating the country.
Senator Adamu Bulkachuwa (Bauchi Central) said that the south-west does not need such a commission as the region is ahead of others in terms of development.
He argued that the National Assembly shouldn’t be the place to discuss the disintegration of the country, warning that the Senate should not divide or balkanize the country.
Justifying his position, the Bauchi senator said the establishment of the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) and the North East Development Commission were necessitated by certain circumstances that needed national attention.
“l cannot see any reason why the South -West Development Commission should be created because the south -west is the most developed in the country. This bill is very dangerous bill. They are pointing towards self -government and true federalism,” Sen. Bulkachuwa stated.
Also, Sen. Peter Nwaoboshi (Delta Central) warned the Senate against encouraging the passage of such regional development agenda as against the national agenda.
He said that “if we balkanize this country, we will be held responsible. We shouldn’t sit here and divide this country. The foundation we are laying here is a foundation to balkanise the country.”
But, tackling both Bulkachuwa and Nwaoboshi, Sen. Surajudeen Ajibola (Osun Central) said that the bill should not been seen along ethnic lines, adding that there shouldn’t be unnecessary agitation as the south -west has contributed to the development of the country.
Supporting the bill, Sen. Adamu Aliero pointed out that every region has peculiar problems, adding that every geo -political zone should come up with its own development programmes.
He however, noted that the south-west is the most developed region in the country, with sea and air ports and also the former seat of government.
Other senators, who supported the bill that was thereafter, referred to the Senate Committee on Establishment and Public Services, noted that the South West Development Commission will fast- track development in the region.
Earlier, leading debate on the bill, Sen. Amosun said that “I would like to crave your indulgence to stress that the issues that necessitated the enactment of this bill are prevalent in all the other geo-political zones in the country.
“What this literarily means is that all the six geo-political zones in Nigeria have more or less similar issues.”
Explaining why the region is craving for the commission, the senator said that “the push for the establishment of the South West Development Commission is an attempt to address the dwindling fortunes of the region by implementing a regional development plan, taking into consideration the region’s unique endowments, natural advantages and capabilities.
“This is one of the major reasons we are proposing the establishment of this commission. This commission if passed into law will enhance regional integration which is capable of delivering the benefits of large economies of scale.
“It is my firm belief that this bill will act as a catalyst to develop the geo -political zone by providing legislative backing to address some of these challenges in the south -west, just as it has been done for other geo- political zones in this hallowed chambers.”
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