From Kenneth Udeh, Abuja
Chairman of the Senate Committee on the South East Development Commission (SEDC), Orji Uzor Kalu, has disclosed that the five South East governors have collectively approved an additional ₦25 billion to augment the Commission’s proposed ₦140 billion budget for the 2026 fiscal year.
The governors of Abia, Anambra, Ebonyi, Enugu and Imo States have each committed ₦5 billion to support the South East Development Commission’s development drive in the coming year.
Senator Kalu made the disclosure on Wednesday while submitting the Commission’s 2026 budget report to the Senate Committee on Appropriations.
According to him, the intervention became necessary following funding challenges experienced by the Commission in 2025.
“The Commission received hardly any funding in the 2025 fiscal year. Consequently, several projects and strategic initiatives were suspended and remain pending,” Kalu said.
He explained that the 2026 proposal covers both fresh appropriations and critical interventions aimed at reactivating stalled projects and restoring developmental momentum across the region.
“In view of this, as Chairman of the Committee, and after deliberations with the governors and major stakeholders in the South East region, I respectfully request that the committee consider an additional ₦5 billion allocation to each of the states, amounting to ₦25 billion, to augment the ₦140 billion.
“This additional provision will enable SEDC to accelerate development across the region, particularly in the health and education sectors, in line with the Federal Government’s Renewed Hope Agenda,” he added.
Receiving the report on behalf of the Chairman of the Senate Committee on Appropriations, Tahir Monguno, who stood in for Solomon Adeola, commended the initiative.
Monguno praised the collaborative effort of the South East governors and expressed hope that governors in other geopolitical zones would emulate the gesture to fast-track regional development initiatives across the country.
