What is the business of a Development commission in making Micro level interventions that can become subject to political patronage and abuse?
At best, Senator Tony Nwoye, at th recent budget defence of the SEDC, has shown he lacks in depth knowledge of how a development commission responsible for a region of 5 states should function. He thinks their role is same as those of Legislators who busy themselves with tokenist constituency projects.
I am more inclined to what Gov. Soludo told Mark Okoye II and other participants at the SEDC Vision 2050 event in Enugu — at that event I can’t recall seeing Senator Nwoye there (I am not sure). SEDC should never be like NDDC that has become minimalist in its agenda. Apart from littering non-functional buildings and splashing pockets of projects to family and friends, tell me one grand project that benefits the entire South South Region that the NDDC has undertaken?
Mark MUST not listen to Senator Tony Nwoye if he wants to succeed. He has to think Mega and Macro. He has to look out for projects that promote regional integration. He is not there to build PHCs for Nsugbe or Ifitedunu or send streetlights to Ngor Okpala. He is not to usurp the job of the Local Government or replace the Senators in their districts.
Mark should think rail lines that connect southeast states and link us to sister regions. Mark should focus on institutional reforms that cut across the states. Again, no investment is too much in fixing the mental retardation the so-called Biafra struggle has caused our people! And yes, i support every investment channeled towards reorientation.
Again I insist, Mark must not listen to Senator Tony Nwoye and others who are yet to understand his mandate.
— Mazi Ejimofor Opara