Yesterday, the House of Representatives carried a bill proposing the creation of the South East Development Commission through third reading, 53 years after the Nigerian civil war.

After reviewing the bill’s report, the House made a unanimous decision in the Committee of the Whole, which was presided over by the deputy speaker, Rt. Hon. Benjamin Okezie Kalu.

The bill’s explanatory memorandum, which was signed by all of the South East lawmakers including Kalu, the lead sponsor, stated that the Commission would be in charge of managing funds allocated from the Federation Account for the reconstruction and rehabilitation of roads, homes, and other infrastructure damages that the region had suffered as a result of the civil war.

When the commission is formed, it will also address any associated environmental or developmental issues as well as ecological issues in the Southeast States, which include Abia, Imo, Enugu, Anambra, and Ebonyi.

The bill’s third reading implies that it will now be sent to the Senate for approval before being forwarded to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for his signature to become law.

A bill to repeal the Weights and Measures Act, Cap. W3, Laws of the Federation of Nigeria, 2004 and establish the Nigerian Weights and Measures Regulatory Agency was also passed by the House on third reading. This bill aims to establish a regulatory agency for the development and implementation of various legal metrology standards that support fair trade and safeguard public health, safety, and the environment.

While deliberating over the bill’s report, the House also made its decision in the Committee of the Whole.