Senate Moves to Amend N/West, S/East Development Commissions’ Acts

• The Senate plans to amend the Acts governing the North West and South East Development Commissions to ensure geopolitical representation on boards
• Senate Leader Opeyemi Bamidele emphasized the need for appointments to reflect federal character principles, addressing discrepancies in leadership roles

The Senate has resolved to amend the Acts governing the North West and South East Development Commissions. This decision came during Thursday’s session, during which the chamber also passed the South South Development Commission Bill for a second reading.

Leading the debate on the two bills, Senate Leader Opeyemi Bamidele (APC, Ekiti Central) explained that the amendment to the North West Development Commission Act, 2024, aims to ensure geopolitical representation on the commission’s governing board. He emphasized that the bill seeks to address discrepancies in appointing the commission’s chairman and managing director, ensuring both are not from the same state within the zone.

Bamidele highlighted the importance of extending membership to other geopolitical zones in line with federal character principles and similar federal commissions.

A similar amendment was proposed for the South East Development Commission Act.

Senate President Godswill Akpabio expressed support for the amendments, noting that they are crucial for the effective functioning of the commissions in their respective regions. The bills were successfully passed for a second reading.