Chairman of the Senate Committee on the South East Development Commission (SEDC), Senator Orji Uzor Kalu, has insisted that the commission must maintain its operational base in the South-East, declaring that its growing presence in Enugu has resolved previous concerns over its operations from Abuja.
Kalu made the remarks during an oversight visit by members of the Senate committee to the commission’s headquarters in Enugu State.
The former Abia State governor expressed satisfaction with the progress recorded by the commission since lawmakers previously engaged with its management, describing developments at the headquarters as encouraging.
“So far, we are making very good progress, unlike when we started. I’m sure both me and my colleagues are seeing very serious progress,” Kalu said.
He, however, urged the commission’s management to sustain the momentum and ensure that its activities directly impact communities across the South-East.
“We also want them to go to the grassroots to show the South Eastern people that they are on the ground,” he added.
During the visit, lawmakers inspected the commission’s current office and another facility provided by the Enugu State Government, which is being completed for the commission’s use.
Kalu noted that the progress made so far had addressed concerns previously raised by the Senate committee over the commission’s decision to operate from Abuja rather than within the region it was established to serve.
“Today, we have seen two offices, one where they are staying and the one they are completing, which the government of Enugu State gave them. So, we are very impressed,” he said.
Despite acknowledging the progress, Kalu reiterated that the SEDC could not effectively discharge its mandate from Abuja.
“The only problem that I said before, and I repeat, is that they cannot operate from Abuja. They must operate from where they are set up. This is where they are located,” he stated.
The senator disclosed that the Senate committee would return to Enugu in December to assess further progress on the headquarters project and evaluate the commission’s operations.
He also urged the commission to focus on delivering visible development projects across the five South-East states, stressing that its success would depend on tangible outcomes rather than administrative presence alone.
Kalu described the commission as a relatively young institution, noting that it had been in operation for less than a year, but expressed optimism about its prospects.
“It’s a new commission, less than one year. We are making progress. We are impressed with what we have seen so far. So far, so good,” he said.
