Enugu State Governor Peter Mbah has urged the South East Development Commission (SEDC) to prioritise a regional gas pipeline and railway network. He said the projects could accelerate industrialisation, improve connectivity, and expand economic activities across the five South East states. He also called on the National Assembly to provide adequate funding for the commission.
Mbah made the call on Monday while receiving the Senate Committee on the South East Development Commission. Senator Orji Uzor Kalu led the delegation during a courtesy visit linked to its oversight tour of the commission’s projects and programmes. SEDC Managing Director Mark Okoye also accompanied the senators.
“For us in the South East, this Committee is one of the most important committees of the National Assembly, given the immense development prospects it holds for our people,” Mbah said.
Mbah Proposes Regional Gas Pipeline
The governor identified a high-pressure gas pipeline connecting major South East cities as a priority project. He said reliable gas supplies could help industries expand and support large-scale manufacturing across the region. Mbah also argued that South East states should benefit from gas resources produced within the wider southern part of Nigeria.
He noted that existing pipeline infrastructure already transports gas to other parts of the country. According to him, the SEDC could coordinate a project of similar scale across the South East. He said the proposed pipeline could strengthen industrial development by improving access to energy.
“If we are able to have a high-pressure gas pipeline across all the major cities in the South East, I know that the SEDC is a veritable platform that can essentially execute a project of that scale,” Mbah said.
Governor Seeks Regional Railway Network
Mbah also proposed an inter-state railway network linking major cities across the five South East states. He said the system could facilitate trade, improve transportation, and reduce pressure on the region’s roads. He urged the states to work together on a common design for the proposed railway.
The governor identified the SEDC as a platform for coordinating the states and promoting regional collaboration. He expressed hope that the commission would help align their plans and advance the railway proposal.
“We are hoping that, given the coming into effect of the SEDC, we will be able to use it as a platform to bring all the other states together to have a common design on the South East railway line,” he said.
SEDC Urged to Support Agriculture and Young Entrepreneurs
The governor also highlighted the commission’s potential role in supporting agriculture and technology-driven businesses. He cited the flag-off of a 200-hectare integrated Agro Development Programme at Nomeh Unateze in Enugu State. Mbah assured the commission that his administration would provide an enabling environment for the project.
He further urged the SEDC to create funding opportunities for young entrepreneurs whose businesses had reached the minimum viable product stage. Such support, he said, could help promising businesses expand operations and contribute to regional economic growth. He called on the senators to support adequate funding for the commission.
Mbah described the proposed interventions as potential drivers of an industrial revolution in the South East. He said sustained investment in infrastructure and enterprise development could strengthen the region’s economic prospects.
Kalu Commends Enugu’s Development Projects
Earlier, Kalu commended the Mbah administration for its work in infrastructure, education, healthcare, water supply, and transportation. He highlighted the development of Smart Green Schools and more than 7,000 classrooms across the state. He also cited Type II primary healthcare centres across Enugu’s 260 electoral wards and the state’s multimodal transportation system.
The senator acknowledged Mbah’s efforts to strengthen engagement between the South East and the Federal Government. He also thanked President Bola Tinubu for facilitating the establishment of the SEDC. Kalu said the commission could help address development needs across the region.
SEDC Headquarters Location Dispute Resolved
Kalu disclosed that the disagreement over the location of the commission’s headquarters had been resolved. He said the Enugu State Government provided temporary office accommodation and a site for the permanent headquarters. The arrangements, he added, would support the commission’s take-off in the state.
“We wanted to make sure that the commission locates to Enugu State as soon as possible, and this has been a subject of disagreement. But today, I can assure you that the issue is settled,” Kalu said.
He thanked Mbah for providing support to facilitate the commission’s operations. The senator also assured the governor that the committee would continue supporting the SEDC’s activities.
