Senator Orji Uzor Kalu Urges Development Commissions to Champion Innovation, Transparency, and Economic Growth

Senator Orji Uzor Kalu Urges Development Commissions to Drive Innovation, Transparency, and Economic Growth

Senator Orji Uzor Kalu, Chairman of the Senate Committee on the South East Development Commission (SEDC), has called on the newly inaugurated members of the South East Development Commission (SEDC) and the North West Development Commission (NWDC) to embrace innovative, transparent, and people-oriented strategies in executing their mandates.

Speaking at the official inauguration ceremony, Senator Kalu emphasized the critical role of the commissions in fostering regional integration, economic growth, and infrastructural transformation. He urged them to move beyond conventional approaches and implement groundbreaking initiatives that would directly impact the lives of the people.

He specifically highlighted the importance of large-scale development projects such as:

• Common railway networks to facilitate trade, transportation, and regional connectivity.
• Shared power plants to address electricity shortages and support industrialization.
• Cottage industries to promote local manufacturing, entrepreneurship, and job creation.

“Let us harness our God-given resources to revitalize our economy,” Kalu stated, urging the commissions to maximize the economic potential of their regions by leveraging local resources, attracting investments, and implementing sustainable development plans.

Call for Accountability and Good Governance

Senator Kalu also issued a strong warning against corruption, mismanagement, and financial irregularities. He reminded the commissions that their activities would be subject to rigorous oversight by the National Assembly Committees to ensure efficiency, transparency, and accountability.

He emphasized that public funds must be prudently managed to deliver real and measurable benefits to the people, rather than being lost to waste or corruption. He also encouraged the commissions to embrace profit-driven strategies that would make their projects financially sustainable while serving public interest.

Strategic Partnerships and Community Engagement

Beyond infrastructure development, Senator Kalu urged the commissions to actively engage local communities, traditional leaders, private investors, and international development partners. According to him, such collaborations would enhance project execution, attract funding, and ensure that initiatives align with the actual needs of the people.

He further called for policies that promote education, skill development, and youth empowerment, stressing that economic growth must be inclusive and beneficial to all segments of society.

A New Era for Regional Development

With this call to action, Senator Kalu expressed confidence that with visionary leadership, accountability, and strategic planning, the commissions could catalyze rapid economic transformation in the South East and North West regions. He assured them of the National Assembly’s support in ensuring that their objectives are fully realized for the benefit of all Nigerians.