South West Development Commission Bill Approved by Senate
The Senate has successfully passed the South West Development Commission Bill for its third reading, marking a significant step towards boosting regional development in Nigeria. This move follows the report submitted by Senator Kaka Lawan, Chairman of the Senate Committee on Special Duties. The passage comes only two months after President Bola Tinubu signed similar development bills for the North West and South East regions into law.
Once established through presidential assent, the South West Development Commission will receive financial support from the Federation Account and donations from development partners. These funds will be allocated towards capital projects designed to address long-standing infrastructure deficits in the South West region. The commission is expected to play a crucial role in regional economic growth and development.
During the final plenary session of the week, the South West Development Bill took center stage as lawmakers debated its significance. Senator Kaka Lawan and Deputy Senate President Barau Jibrin underscored the importance of the bill in transforming the South West region. This bill mirrors similar development commissions that have already been approved for other regions under President Tinubu’s leadership.
In addition to the South West Development Bill, Senators Adamu Aliero (PDP, Kebbi Central) and Osita Izunaso (APC, Imo West) called for increased budgetary allocations to improve the capacity of police training institutions across Nigeria. Their aim is to ensure these institutions are better equipped to tackle security challenges nationwide, enhancing national safety.
The Senate session also focused on a bill designed to tackle illegal mining activities in the country, a sector that lawmakers claim is responsible for an annual loss of $18.9 billion.
The bill, which has passed its second reading, proposes the establishment of a dedicated security agency to combat illegal mining and protect the country’s natural resources. This is seen as a crucial step toward preserving Nigeria’s mineral wealth and boosting revenue.
