By Jide Alo, Abuja and Ologeh Joseph Chibu
The National Assembly today approved the South West Development Commission, (SWDC)
The Bill was passed for a third reading following a report submitted by the Chairman of the Senate Committee on Special Duties, Kaka Shehu Lawan.
The Bill will then be passed to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for final approval.
There are already the Niger Delta Development Commission, (NDDC) the South East Development Commission, (SEDC) and the North West and North East Commissions.
The SWDC is expected to focus on special areas if Development in the South West comprising Lagos, Oyo, Ogun, Osun, Ekiti and Ondo States.
Lawan “If the commission is established through presidential assent, it will like other development-driven commissions receive funds from the federation account, donations from development partners, etc, to address infrastructural deficits and tackle ecological problems in the region”.
The bill was read for second time in February 2024.
It partly focuses on funds allocated by the Federal Government for capital projects in the South West region.
The Alliance for Yoruba Democratic Movements, (AYDM) in a chat with Irohinoodua described the bill as a welcome Development.
AYDM General Secretary, Mr Popoola Ajayi told our correspondent that the Bill should focus on agriculture, security, youth empowerment and environmental sustainability.
He said “This is a good Development. We look forward to see a respected Yoruba person, a person of character and dignity to pilot this Commission. It should focus on agriculture, rural development, security and environmental development.”
The AYDM however warned that the Commission cannot take the place of restructuring which he said is the minimum demand of majority of Yoruba people.