Reps throw out bill for South East development

A bill seeking for the development, reconstruction, and rehabilitation of roads, houses and other infrastructure in the South East was on Thursday thrown out by the the House Representatives.

The bill which sought for the South-East Development Commission, before being sacked by the members, threw the House into a rowdy session as members outside the South-East region vehemently opposed and shouted it down.

The opposing lawmakers in their argument against the bill contended that not much consultations were carried out before the bill was presented to the house.

Lawmakers from the South-East were angered by the rejection and did not fail to voice their displeasure over the development.

Read also: Senate stalls confirmation of 12 RECs, confirms 15 others

The bill if allowed, will establish a commission charged with the responsibility, among other things, to receive and manage fund from allocation of the Federation Account for the development, reconstruction, and rehabilitation of roads, houses and other infrastructure in the South East.

It will also address the ecological problems and any other related environmental or developmental challenges in the region’s states and for other related matters (HB 915).

Chukwuka Onyema, who led the debate on the bill, had said that the commission will foster unity and inclusiveness, adding that it also has the potential to douse all tension and agitations in the region.

But when Speaker, Yakubu Dogara, threw it up for voice vote, the nay sayers had their way and the bill was dropped.

 

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