Anambra business leaders back South-East Development Commission

Prominent industrialists and businessmen from across Anambra State have expressed confidence that the South-East Development Commission will create more opportunities for the South-East
geopolitical zone once it becomes operational.

They praised the management of the commission, led by Mark Okoye as the Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer and Dr. Emeka Nworgu as Chairman, for having the capacity to bring the commission’s vision to fruition.

Okoye is also the MD/CEO of the Anambra State Investment Promotion and Protection Agency, while Nworgu is a former Minister of Labour.

Speaking to journalists in Awka on Friday about the SEDC’s importance to the South-East region, businessman and former president of the Anambra Chambers of Commerce, Don Ebubeogu, commended President Bola Tinubu for prioritising competence over political affiliation in constituting the board.

Ebubeogu stated, “President Tinubu may be sending a strong message to Ndigbo: the era of career political contractors is over. The political gang that has held this region down should now seek meaningful work and remove their weight from our necks.”

On her part, Mrs. Ijeoma Oduonye, the Chief Executive Officer of Cutix Plc, expressed confidence that the SEDC would fulfill its mandate of infrastructural transformation and economic rejuvenation for the region.

She added, “We are confident that the SEDC will deliver beyond expectations, promoting dynamic infrastructure development and sustainable economic growth in the South-East region.”

It should be noted that President Tinubu signed the SEDC bill into law in July and nominated a 16-member board for the commission on December 7.

Among the other nominees were Mr. Sylvester Okonkwo, Mr. Toby Okechukwu, Mr. Stanley Ohajuruka, Mr. Anthony Agbo, Dr. Clifford Ogbede, Mr. Ugochukwu Agballah, Mr. Okey Ezenwa, and Chief Hyacinth Ikpor.

The SEDC was established to oversee the reconstruction and rehabilitation of infrastructure damaged during the Nigeria-Biafra war (1967–1970).

The businessmen expressed gratitude to President Tinubu for constituting the Governing Board and Executive Management of the Commission and voiced their hope for a swift confirmation process.