Senator Dickson Advocates For Establishment Of South South Development Commission

Former Governor of Bayelsa State and Senator representing Bayelsa West Senatorial District, His Excellency, Senator Henry Seriake Dickson, has advocated for the establishment of South South Development Commission (SSDC).

The former governor and federal lawmaker made the commendable contribution for the establishment of the development commission in the oil rich South South region, is aimed at addressing various challenges faced by the people of the region.

The bill is ably sponsored by Senator Asuquo Ekpenyong from Cross River South District, and co-sponsored by all the South South Senators, seeks to address the needs, challenges and aspirations of the States within the region geopolitical zone.

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.

Senator Dickson 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 federal government agency.

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.

Senator Dickson as an intellectual leader who believes in the peace, unity, stability and development of the country, suggested that other oil-producing states should be considered for inclusion in the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) to promote equity, equality.

The bill which has passed second reading in the senate when approved, will address pertinent socio-economic challenges affecting the people of the region, as regards to issues of infrastructure deficit, militancy, environmental degradation etc.