Orji Kalu Warns SEDC Against Abuja Operations, Demands Full Presence In South-East

Senator Orji Uzor Kalu has insisted that the South East Development Commission (SEDC) must operate from the region it was established to serve, declaring that the commission cannot effectively fulfil its mandate from Abuja.

Kalu, who represents Abia North Senatorial District and chairs the Senate Committee on SEDC, made the position known on Monday during an oversight visit to the commission’s facilities in Enugu State.

The visit was aimed at assessing progress on the commission’s headquarters and reviewing its operations.

The former Abia State governor expressed satisfaction with the improvements recorded since the committee’s previous engagement with the commission, describing the development as encouraging.

He, however, urged the management to sustain the momentum and ensure that the commission’s activities extend to communities across the South-East.

“So far, we are making very good progress, unlike when we started. I’m sure you, both me and my colleagues, are seeing very serious progress. I hope that the commission, especially the management team, sustains this progress,” Kalu said.

He disclosed that the committee would return to Enugu in December to evaluate further progress on the headquarters and assess the commission’s activities.

During the inspection, the lawmakers visited two facilities: the office currently occupied by the commission and another building provided by the Enugu State Government, which is being completed for its use.

Kalu said the facilities represented a significant improvement from the situation that previously generated disagreements between the committee and the commission over its decision to operate from Abuja.

“Where we were before and now, we are making progress. We were quarrelling about our office being in Abuja. Today, we have seen two offices, one where they are staying and the one they are completing, which the government of Enugu State gave them,” he said.

He added that the committee was satisfied with the progress, provided the commission remained focused on delivering development to the people of the region.

However, Kalu maintained that establishing offices in Enugu must translate into a permanent operational presence in the South-East.

“The only problem that I said before, and I repeat, is that they cannot operate from Abuja. They must operate from where they are set up. This is where they are located,” he said.

The senator noted that the commission’s presence in Enugu had addressed the committee’s earlier concerns about its operational base.

“Our quarrel before was about being in Abuja and not being in Enugu. So that quarrel is over now,” he added.

Kalu also urged the management to take its activities to the grassroots, stressing that the commission must demonstrate its impact beyond administrative operations and office accommodation.

He acknowledged that the SEDC was less than a year old but said its management must remain committed to the responsibilities for which it was established.

The senator expressed confidence in the progress observed during the visit, while emphasising the need for sustained efforts to deliver meaningful development across the South-East.

The Senate Committee is expected to return to Enugu in December for another inspection of the headquarters project and a review of the commission’s operations.