A bill for an Act to establish the South-West Development Commission (SWDC), on Wednesday, pitched senators against themselves, with some supporting while others opposed the proposal.

The sponsor of the bill, Senator Ibikunle Amosun, (APC, Ogun Central), while leading debate on the general principles of the bill, said that if established, the commission would act as a catalyst to develop the commercial and industrial potentials of the South-West.

He also noted that the proposed commission would receive and manage funds from allocation of the federation for the agricultural and industrial development of the region.

The former governor said that it would also help to tackle any other related educational backwardness as well as security and development challenges in the area.

The bill, which later passed second reading, was however, vehemently opposed by some senators, who argued that the South-West did not need such commission.

The lawmakers, who canvassed this position, wondered why a development commission should be set up in the zone, when the region is in fact ahead of others in terms of development.

Those opposing the legislation warned that the Senate should not balkanize the country by attempting to create development commission for all the six geopolitical zones of Nigeria.

They pointed out that the commissions granted to other regions came into place because of certain peculiar circumstances in those areas.

Senator Adamu Bulkachuwa (APC, Bauchi North) said that the National Assembly shouldn’t be the chamber to discuss disintegration of the country, explaining that the North East Development Commission and Niger Delta Development Commission were products of circumstances.

He said: “I cannot see any reason why the South West Development Commission should be created because South-West is the most developed in the country.

“This bill is very dangerous bill. They are pointing towards self-government and true federalism.”

Also, Senator Peter Nwaoboshi (PDP, Delta Central) opposed the bill, saying, “If we balkanized this country, we will be held responsible. We shouldn’t sit here and divide this country. The foundation we are laying here is a foundation to balkanize the country.”

However, Senator Ajibola Basiru (APC, Osun Central) urged his colleagues not to see the bill along ethnic thinking, saying that there shouldn’t be unnecessary agitation because the South-West had not only sacrificed for the Nigeria’s unity, but also contributed to the development of the country.

Supporting the bill also, Senator Adamu Aliero (APC, Kebbi Central), pointed out that every region had peculiar problem, noting that every geo-political zone should come up with development programmes.

He, however, acknowledged that the South-West was the most developed region in the country, with sea and airports and also the former seat of government.

While appealing to other senators for support earlier in his lead debate, Amosun said: “The push for the establishment of the South West Development Commission is an attempt to address the dwindling fortunes of the region by implementing a regional development plan, taking into consideration the region’s unique endowments, natural advantages and capabilities.

“This commission, if passed into law, will enhance regional integration which is capable of delivering the benefits of large economies of scale. It is my firm belief that this Bill will act as a catalyst to develop the geopolitical zone by providing legislative backing to address some of these challenges in the South-West, just as it has been done for other geopolitical zones in this hallowed chambers.

“The bill seeks to resolve issues of underdevelopment by redirecting federal attention to the development challenges of the South-West region which comprises Ekiti, Lagos, Ogun, Ondo, Osun and Oyo states.

“Issues which include, but are not limited to, agriculture, transportation, health, infrastructural decay, education, environment, housing, industrialization, water supply, electricity, commerce etc., which, when addressed, will have a multiplier effect of great proportions not only for the South-West region, but Nigeria as a whole.”

After the bill passed second reading, the President of the Senate, Ahmad Lawan, referred it to the Committee on Establishment and Public Services for further legislative works. (New Telegraph)

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