SSDC chairman demands transparency, accountability from board

The Chairman of the Governing Board of the South-South Development Commission and former Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Chibudom Nwuche, has urged members of the board and management of the commission to uphold the highest standards of transparency, prudence and professionalism as they begin the task of driving development across the South-South region.

Nwuche gave the charge during the Fourth Regular Meeting of the Governing Board of the Commission in Abuja, according to a statement issued he issued on Sunday.

The SSDC, one of the regional development commissions established by the Federal Government to address infrastructure deficits and accelerate socio-economic growth, formally came into existence on March 25, 2025, following President Bola Tinubu’s assent to the South-South Development Commission Bill.

The President later announced the appointment of members of the governing board on May 8, 2025.

Addressing board members and management staff, Nwuche stressed the need for teamwork, collective responsibility and strict adherence to the Commission’s Establishing Act, as well as existing government regulations and guidelines.

He cautioned officials against actions capable of undermining the credibility of the commission or eroding public confidence in its activities.

He said, “We must not do anything that would bring ridicule to this Commission, embarrassment to our region, or disappointment to those who entrusted us with this important national responsibility.

“We must distinguish ourselves by the quality of our conduct and the standards we uphold in managing the affairs of this Commission.

“We must also ensure that personal interests and egos do not hinder us from fulfilling the mandate entrusted to us by Mr President and the people of the South-South region.”

The former lawmaker noted that the development challenges confronting the region require collective effort, saying no individual possesses all the expertise needed to achieve the commission’s ambitious goals.

“None of us, not even myself as chairman, the managing director, executive directors, nor any member of the board, possesses all that is required to achieve the lofty goals for which this Commission was created.”

“The mandate entrusted to us under the Establishing Act is broad, strategic, and significant. It seeks to accelerate the socio-economic development of the South-South region through investments in critical sectors such as infrastructure, transportation, energy, waterways, agriculture, industry, environmental remediation, and other key areas provided for in the Act.”

“To achieve these objectives, we must remain open-minded, collaborative, and receptive to constructive ideas and contributions from every member of the Board and Management,” he stressed.

Nwuche commended members of the board and management for laying the foundation for the commission’s operations despite initial challenges encountered since their inauguration.

While acknowledging the release of overhead funds to the commission, he disclosed that capital allocations were still undergoing the necessary budgetary processes.

He, however, urged management to develop quick-win, medium-term and long-term project plans to ensure seamless implementation once funding becomes available.

The SSDC chairman further stressed the urgency of delivering tangible results to the people of the region, who have high expectations of the newly established agency.

“This reality underscores the urgency of our mission and the importance of pursuing our mandate with focus, discipline, diligence, and a strong sense of responsibility.”

“The people of the South-South region expect tangible results, and rightly so.

“We owe our people and the nation a Commission that is focused, disciplined, transparent, innovative, accountable, and results-oriented,” he stated.

Nwuche also called for stronger collaboration with governors of the South-South states, the National Assembly, the Ministry of Regional Development, development partners and other stakeholders whose mandates align with those of the commission.

The meeting was attended by the Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of the Commission, Usoro Akpabio; Acting Secretary and Board Member, Femi Agge; board members and executive directors, including those overseeing finance, projects, corporate services, commercial and environmental services, and social and human capital development.

The South-South Development Commission is expected to spearhead development interventions across the six states of the South-South region, focusing on critical sectors such as infrastructure, transportation, energy, agriculture, environmental remediation and human capital development.