By Nwajiobi Ijeoma 9news Nigeria, Nnewi
The House of Representatives Committee on South-East Development Commission (SEDC) has hailed the progress of work on the Commission’s headquarters in Enugu State, describing the facility as a critical institutional foundation for driving the socio-economic transformation of the South-East.
The Committee Chairman, Hon Chris Nkwonta spoke during an oversight visit by members of his committee to the Commission to inspect ongoing projects and assess the development of its infrastructure.
He said the establishment of the SEDC headquarters would provide the institutional framework needed to translate the philosophy of the Three Rs — Reconstruction, Rehabilitation and Reconciliation — formulated after the Nigerian Civil War, into concrete development programmes for the region.
According to him, the Commission’s mandate presents an opportunity to address the devastating effects of the civil war, decades of neglect and persistent infrastructural deficits across the five South-East states.
He added that through inclusive economic programmes and strategic interventions, the Commission would contribute to rebuilding critical infrastructure, including federal roads, public buildings and urban centres, while stimulating economic growth and development.
Speaking with journalists during the visit, the Managing Director of SEDC, Mr. Mark Okoye, said the Commission’s headquarters, a four-storey facility donated by the Enugu State Government, would significantly strengthen its operational capacity and institutional efficiency.
Okoye explained that the building would centralise the Commission’s operations by bringing its departments, executive management and staff under one roof, thereby improving coordination, strategic planning and project implementation.
He said the arrangement would eliminate administrative fragmentation, promote long-term planning and facilitate the implementation of the region’s development master plans.
The Managing Director also highlighted the financial benefits of the facility, noting that operating from a rent-free building would reduce overhead and real estate costs, allowing the Commission to direct more resources towards critical development projects, road construction and community-based interventions.
On regional cooperation and innovation, Okoye said the headquarters would serve as a hub for strengthening collaboration among the five South-East states and promoting initiatives to stimulate entrepreneurship and technological advancement.
He cited the South-East Venture Capital Programme, launched in May 2026, as one of the initiatives designed to provide funding for young technology innovators, establish innovation hubs and address youth migration from the region to major economic centres, particularly Lagos and Abuja.
Okoye further disclosed that the facility would strengthen the Commission’s capacity to attract investments through the proposed South-East Investment Company.
He explained that the initiative would provide an institutional platform for connecting private-sector investors, members of the diaspora and other funding sources with major development projects across the region.
The Managing Director expressed optimism that effective institutional coordination, strategic partnerships and sustained investments would accelerate development, create economic opportunities and reposition the South-East as a competitive investment destination.
The oversight visit was part of the National Assembly’s legislative responsibility to monitor the activities, projects and performance of the Commission in delivering on its mandate to promote the socio-economic development of the South-East.
