Group Commends Dickson For S-S Development Commission

The South South People’s Assembly (SSPA) has commended the Senator representing Bayelsa West Senatorial District, His Excellency, Senator Henry Seriake Dickson, for the establishment of a South South Development Commission (SSDC).

The group said the commendation became necessary and important considering the tremendous efforts and contributions of the federal lawmaker in the national assembly, always raising pertinent issues affecting the people of the region.

A statement issued by the President of the Group, Comrade Anthony Godwin, commended Senator Dickson for always making sound advocacy and contributions for the peace, unity, stability, development of the geopolitical zone, Niger Delta, Ijaw Nation and Nigeria at large.

The bill to establish the South South Development Commission, is sponsored by Senator Asuquo Ekpenyong from Cross River South District, and co-sponsored by all the Senators of the South-South region.

The South South Senators Forum Chairman, Senator Dickson made sound contributions and advocacy for the important need for the establishment of a South South Development Commission, when the bill was reopened for second reading in the senate last week Thursday.

Senator Dickson on his contribution of the bill, emphasized that the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) is not geopolitical, but rather a resource-based commission strategically established to address crises in oil-producing communities.

He stated that the NDDC as a federal agency is not exclusively dedicated to the South South region alone, as its membership includes States of other geopolitical zones outside the region, such as Imo, Abia and Ondo States respectively.

The former Governor pointed out that the NDDC extends to the South West and South East regions, which the commission’s purpose is to manage issues arising from oil production, replacing the scrapped OMPADEC, as federal government agency responsible for oil production.

He added that the NDDC is similar in status to the National Hydroelectric Power Producing Areas Development Commission (N-HYPPADEC), charged with the responsibility of managing the ecological issues to the operation of dams in affected States in Northern part of Nigeria.

The group emphasized that the establishment of the commission, is a strategic step in addressing some socio-economic challenges affecting the people of the geopolitical zone, most especially infrastructure, environmental degradation, human capital development, and so on.

Comrade Godwin while describing Senator Dickson as the vocal voice of the region, urged him not to relent in advocating for the peace, unity, stability and development of the region, as he has always demonstrated from his days in office, as Governor of Bayelsa State.

The group while appealing for quick approval of the bill, also commended the bill sponsor, Senator Asuquo Ekpenyong from Cross River South District, and co-sponsors of all the Senators of the South-South region.