The Speaker of the House of Representatives, Rt. Hon. Abbas Tajudeen, Ph.D., GCON, has charged the leadership of the South South Development Commission (SSDC) to uphold transparency, accountability, and integrity in carrying out its mandate of driving development across the South-South region.
Speaker Abbas gave the charge on Thursday when he received in audience the board and management of the SSDC, led by the Managing Director, Mrs. Usoro Offiong Akpabio, during a courtesy visit to his office in Abuja.
He urged the Commission to focus its programmes on improving the welfare of the people, particularly those at the grassroots, while addressing the socio-economic challenges that led to its creation.
“This is an opportunity to set a legacy for future generations. Serve with integrity, coordination, and vision,” Speaker Abbas admonished the SSDC leadership.
The Speaker also called on the Commission to work closely with state governors and other stakeholders in the South-South to enhance synergy, avoid duplication of mandates, and deliver tangible results.
He warned against corruption and overlapping projects, stressing the importance of building strong institutional structures that can sustain development efforts beyond the present administration.
Speaker Abbas further advised the SSDC to carry out comprehensive needs assessments before embarking on any intervention projects to ensure that every initiative aligns with the real needs of the people.
Reaffirming the commitment of the House of Representatives to supporting the SSDC, the Speaker said the legislature would provide the necessary oversight and legislative backing to help the Commission succeed in its mission of promoting inclusive growth and stability in the South-South region.
Earlier, the Managing Director of the SSDC, Mrs. Usoro Offiong Akpabio, expressed appreciation to the Speaker and the House for their support and pledged to uphold accountability, transparency, and efficiency in implementing the Commission’s programmes.
She stated that the SSDC’s agenda aligns with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda, focusing on infrastructure renewal, human capital development, environmental protection, and youth and women empowerment.
“We are ready to commence full operations and deliver meaningful results that will transform the lives of the South-South people,” Mrs. Akpabio assured