The House of Representatives, during its plenary session on Wednesday, has made significant amendments to the South West Development Commission (Establishment) Act by removing four major clauses. The bill, which was initially gazetted for consideration on Tuesday, was fast-tracked and listed for deliberation on Wednesday’s Order Paper. A Supplementary Order Paper was subsequently issued, allowing the bill to proceed to its Third Reading, where it was passed.
The South West Development Commission is tasked with managing funds allocated from the Federation Account, including donations and gifts, to address infrastructural damages, ecological challenges, and other developmental issues in the South West region. However, the proposed amendments targeted Section 14(b, c, d, and e), which outlined specific funding sources for the commission.
The House of Representatives removed four key funding clauses from the South West Development Commission (Establishment) Act during Wednesday’s plenary. These included Clause 14(b), which allocated 3% of the annual budget of federal seaports and airports in the South West; Clause 14(c),which assigned 3% of the annual budget of oil-producing and gas processing companies in the region; and Clause 14(d), which earmarked 3% of the annual budget of solid mineral extraction companies operating in the South West.
Additionally, Clause 14(e), which granted the commission 50% of funds due to member-states from the Ecological Fund, was also deleted. These amendments significantly alter the commission’s funding structure, raising questions about its financial sustainability and ability to address developmental challenges in the South West region. The revised bill is expected to be sent to President Bola Tinubu for assent soon.
According to sources, the amended bill is set to be transmitted to President Bola Tinubu for assent today. The removal of these clauses marks a significant shift in the funding structure of the commission, raising questions about its financial sustainability and operational capacity moving forward.
