The bill seeking to establish the South-East Development Commission passed through second reading on Thursday, in the House of Representatives.

The Bill which was first introduced in the House of Representatives was killed at second reading, before been initiated in the Senate and passed.

The passage through second reading on Thursday was in concurrence with the Senate version, but it, however, witnessed a stiff debate to reveal the sentiments of some members towards the national development.

The heated debate, however, became emotional on the floor particularly as lawmakers representing the South Eastern States and those canvassing for 9th Assembly Speakership position seized the opportunity to explain how the zone has been neglected since the civil war.

Hon. Eucharia Anazodo (PDP, Anambra), “We need this bill to reconstruct and rehabilitate the zone from the civil war.”

Hon. Nicholas Ossai (PDP, Delta) while speaking on how every part of the South East has been eaten by erosion as well as the destruction caused by the civil war explained that the commission will help carry a section of the country along.

The mention of the civil war resulted in a point of order from a lawmaker, Hon. Sanni Abdul (APC, Bauchi) who advised that Mr Ossai should stick to the subject matter instead.

But the presiding officer, however, resolved the matter by pointing out that the bill entails environment and underdevelopment of the zone.

The South East lawmakers however continued in their push on the reason the bill should be passed.

Among those who contributed further was Hon. Nkiruika Onyejeocha, Hon. Linda Ukeje. They argued that there is no point playing sentiment instead the House should look at what will unite the country at large.

Contributions from Hon. Umar Badeh (PDP, Kaduna) and Hon. Abdulmumin Jibrin (APC, Kano) gave a resounding hope for the bill be passed.

The lawmakers both from the North emotionally explained how the civil war negatively affected the South East zone in terms of development.

They, therefore, advised the House that if the bill is for the development of the South East and the country in general, they are in full support of it.

“There is a chunk of under development in the South East. The passage of this bill will help unite this country. Let’s show them that they are part of this country. We should rise above ethnic sentiment and pass this bill,” Jibrin said.

It was, however, a euphoria of victory particularly for lawmakers from South East in the House presided by Sulaimon Lasun, Deputy Speaker, as a majority voice vote went in favour of the bill.

The bill was therefore referred to the House committee on the whole for further action. (INDEPENDENT)

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