‘Duplication of NDDC’ – senate shelves debate on south-south commission bill

The senate has suspended a bill seeking to establish the South South Development Commission.

Asuquo Ekpenyong, senator representing Cross River south, sponsored the bill. However, Benson Agadaga, senator representing Bayelsa east, led the debate in Ekpenyong’s absence.

Agadaga said the bill sought to establish a commission to tackle issues confronting the geopolitical zone.

“To address socio-economic issues, climate change, environmental degradation, ecological challenges occasioned by oil exploration in the region, among others,” he said.

“The south-south geopolitical zone comprises the following states: Akwa Ibom, Bayelsa, Cross River, Edo and Rivers state.”

However, two senators kicked against the bill.

Adamu Aliero, senator representing Kebbi central, said the bill is a duplication, because the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) already takes care of the objectives of the legislation.

“I see it as a duplication and overlapping functions. It would have been better if he came with an amendment to the Niger Delta Development Commission,” Aliero said.

“This is against parliamentary practice. It will make us look like a laughing stock.

“I reject the presentation of this bill.”

Abdul Ningi, senator representing Bauchi central, said the bill should be stood down for more legislative work.

“When you check the NDDC law and try to compare it with the laws here, they are the same,” Ningi said.

“It is important that this bill is stood down for further consultation. I don’t want some of us to leave here with the impression that we are against the Niger Delta.

“It should be stood down for consultation, so that we can come up with an amendment for this.”

Thereafter, consideration of the bill was stood down after it was put to a voice vote by Senate President Godswill Akpabio.

The upper legislative chamber recently passed bills to establish the North Central Development Commission and the North West Development Commission.