The Senate has appointed Senator Orji Uzor Kalu (APC, Abia North) as the pioneer Chairman of the Senate Committee on the newly established South-East Development Commission (SEDC), one of the regional development Commissions.
Senate President Godswill Akpabio made the announcement during plenary in Abuja on Tuesday.
LEADERSHIP reports that Kalu was previously the chairman of the Senate Committee on Privatisation.
In addition, Senator Ken Eze (Ebonyi Central) was appointed as the vice chairman of the Senate Committee on SEDC.
Akpabio further stated that the remaining members of the committee would be revealed in due course.
Kalu, who had earlier chaired the screening of nominees for management of the SEDC by the adhoc committee for regional development commissions on both the North-West Development Commission (NWDC) and SEDC, is now tasked with overseeing the SEDC. His leadership will be essential in driving the commission’s goals, including civil restitution, tackling erosion, restoring security, and improving infrastructure in the region.
In a related development, the Senate also confirmed the board membership of the SEDC following the report presented by Senator Kalu. The 18-member board will be headed by Dr. Emeka Nworgu, with Hon. Mark Okoye appointed as the Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer.
Other confirmed board members include Ugochukwu H. Agballah, Hon. Okey Kzenwa, Chief Hyacinth Ikpor, Chidi Echeazu, Ifeanyi Agwu, Nasiru Usman, Hamma Adama Ali, Kumo Edward David Onoja, and Orure Kufre Inima.
Additional appointments include Daniel Akwari, Chief (Mrs.) Joke Adebayo-Chukwuma, Hon. Stanley Ohajuruka (Executive Director, Finance), Chief Sylvester Okonkwo (Executive Director, Corporate Services), and Hon. Toby Okechukwu (Executive Director, Projects).
Senator Anthony Agbo was appointed as Executive Director of Commercial and Industrial Development, while Dr. Clifford Ogbede will serve as Executive Director of Natural Resources, Agriculture, and Rural Development in SEDC.