West Africa Development Commission Gains Ground
In a significant step towards regional progress, the Senate Leader, Senator Opeyemi Bamidele, revealed that the passage of the South West Development Commission (SWDC) Bill was a product of strategic lobby efforts.
At the recent 2024 South West Assembly of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Lagos, Nigeria, Senator Bamidele emphasized that lawmakers from the South West APC have played a formidable role in promoting the nation’s progress and stability.
He highlighted that out of the 18 senators from the region, 15 are from the APC, making the South West the largest single bloc of APC Senators in the Senate. This significant numerical advantage has given the zone considerable influence, which was leveraged to ensure the successful passage of the SWDC Bill.
The influential South West caucus in the National Assembly collaborated with federal lawmakers from other geo-political zones to pass the bill, aiming to promote the economic and social development of the South West region.
Although the bill requires concurrence from the House of Representatives before being sent to the President for signing, the APC lawmakers recognize that their success is not limited to party lines, as lawmakers from other parties have equally committed to the region’s growth.
Bamidele stressed the need to institutionalize the regional assembly, facilitating regular interaction among stakeholders, to optimize the SWDC’s benefits for the region’s population.
With this development, the future looks promising for the South West region as it paves the way for comprehensive development initiatives aimed at fostering unity, promoting economic growth, and advancing the quality of life of its residents.
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