A former Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs in Abia State ,Chief Charles Ogbonnaya has commended the Deputy Speaker of House of Representatives, Rt Hon Benjamin Kalu for the passage of South East Development Commission Bill.
He said through the inspirational leadership of the Deputy Speaker and support of his colleagues from the South East, the Bill is now waiting the assent of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
Speaking at his country home in Umuahia, Chief Ogbonnaya expressed joy that 53 years after the civil war, there is now a window for the real reconstruction of the region worst affected by the war.
” I believe this is the first time a concrete step is being taken to address the human catastrophe and degradation suffered by the South East during the war. And the credit goes to Chief Ben Kalu and his courageous colleagues, ” he submitted.
The PDP chieftain noted that the 3R policy of General Yakubu Gowon was still birth,hence the continued terrible condition of infrastructure in the south east, especially roads.
Chief Ogbonnaya averred that the federal government of Nigeria has another opportunity to right the wrongs of the past through the South East Development Commission Bill.
According to him, apart from the commission undertaking the rebuilding of collapsed infrastructure in the south east, it would engender a sense of belonging by the people of the region.
He therefore called for the express assent of the bill by the President so as to accelerate the process of healing and true reintegration.
He urged the Deputy Speaker and all members of House of Representatives from the South East, irrespective of political affiliation, to work in concert to ensure that the bill is assented to expeditiously.
Said he, ” They should be working together for the interests of Ndigbo. Hon Kalu has provided the needed leadership. They should take it up from there “.