The Human Rights Writers Association of Nigeria (HURIWA) has issued a strong challenge to the leadership of the South East Development Commission (SEDC). The group is demanding clear and transparent details regarding the commission's accomplishments in its inaugural year, which was backed by an approved budget of N140 billion.
No Evidence of Infrastructure Development
HURIWA has stated that its research team has been unable to locate any concrete proof of infrastructure projects established by the SEDC in Nigeria's South-East region for the benefit of the Igbo people. The organisation expressed deep concern over this apparent lack of visible progress despite the substantial financial allocation.
Emmanuel Onwubiko, the National Coordinator of HURIWA, revealed that attempts to get detailed information on the commission's achievements from key officials have been unsuccessful. The group approached both the Senate Committee Chairman on SEDC, Senator Orji Uzor Kalu, and the Chairman of the SEDC Governing Board, Emeka Wogu, but received no satisfactory responses.
Senate Committee Chairman Claims Ignorance
In a startling revelation, HURIWA disclosed that the Senate Committee Chairman for the SEDC explicitly stated he had no information about any achievements recorded by the commission since its establishment. This admission raises serious questions about oversight and accountability for the significant public funds involved.
The N140 billion budget for the SEDC was part of the broader N54.9 trillion 2025 budget passed by the National Assembly on February 14, 2025. The commission's board, led by Emeka Wogu as Chairman and Mr. Mark Okoye as Managing Director, was inaugurated on February 11, 2024.
Regional Commissions and Historical Context
The budget allocated identical sums of N140 billion to other regional development bodies, including the South-West, South-South, and North-Central Development Commissions. The North-West Development Commission received a slightly higher allocation of N145.61 billion. Notably, the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) was granted the largest share at N626.53 billion.
The establishment of the SEDC was met with a mix of hope and doubt across Nigeria. It represents the latest national initiative aimed at correcting the historical neglect and marginalisation suffered by the South-East region, which is still recovering from the damage of the civil war. The commission's core mandate is the rebuilding and rehabilitation of the zone.
During his inaugural address, Managing Director Mark Okoye cited a World Bank estimate indicating that the South-East requires a sustained annual investment of $10 billion over the next 30 years to close its infrastructure deficit.
Challenges to Success and the Call for Accountability
Economic analysts have pointed out that the SEDC's potential for success hinges on its capacity to overcome major obstacles. These include bureaucratic inefficiencies, political meddling, and uncertainties in funding. HURIWA's public challenge amplifies these concerns, placing the commission's leadership under intense public scrutiny.
The rights group's action underscores a growing demand for governance and fiscal responsibility. By calling for a public accounting of the N140 billion expenditure, HURIWA is advocating for the tangible development that the people of the South-East were promised. The commission's response, or lack thereof, will be a critical test of its commitment to transparency and its foundational mission.
