Mbah Urges SEDC To Prioritise Gas Pipeline, Regional Railway Development
Enugu State Governor, Peter Mbah, has urged the South East Development Commission (SEDC) to prioritise the construction of a regional gas pipeline, an inter-state railway network and initiatives to accelerate industrialisation across the South East.
Mbah said the proposed infrastructure projects would stimulate economic activities, improve connectivity among the five states in the region and strengthen regional integration.
The governor made the call on Monday when he received the Senate Committee on the SEDC, led by its chairman, Senator Orji Uzor Kalu, during a courtesy visit in Enugu.
The delegation, which included the commission’s management team led by its Managing Director, Mark Okoye, was in the state as part of its oversight visit to assess the commission’s projects and programmes.
Mbah described the Senate committee as critical to the development of the South East, given the commission’s potential to address the region’s infrastructure and economic challenges.
He identified the establishment of a high-pressure gas pipeline connecting major cities across the region as a priority, noting that reliable gas supply would support industries, attract investments and promote large-scale industrial development.
According to him, the South East should benefit from the gas resources produced within the wider southern part of the country, particularly as pipeline infrastructure already conveys gas to other parts of Nigeria.
The governor expressed confidence that the SEDC could serve as a coordinating platform for delivering the project, which he described as a major step towards unlocking the region’s industrial potential.
Mbah also proposed an inter-state railway network linking major cities across Abia, Anambra, Ebonyi, Enugu and Imo states to facilitate trade, improve transportation and reduce pressure on the region’s road network.
He called on the five state governments to collaborate on a common railway design, with the SEDC providing the platform for coordination and regional cooperation.
The governor further highlighted the commission’s role in promoting agriculture and technology-driven enterprises, citing the flag-off of a 200-hectare integrated Agro Development Programme at Nomeh Unateze in Enugu State as an example of its interventions.
He assured the commission of the state government’s support in creating an enabling environment for the successful implementation of the agricultural initiative.
On entrepreneurship, Mbah urged the SEDC to establish funding opportunities for young business owners whose ventures had attained the minimum viable product stage, enabling them to expand operations, create jobs and contribute to economic growth.
He appealed to members of the Senate committee to support the commission in securing adequate funding to execute its programmes, stressing that sustained investment in critical infrastructure and enterprise development could trigger an industrial revolution in the South East.
The governor also called for sufficient budgetary allocations to enable the commission to fulfil its mandate and address the development needs of the region.
Earlier, Kalu commended the Mbah administration for its investments in infrastructure, education, healthcare, water supply and transportation.
He highlighted the development of Smart Green Schools, the construction of more than 7,000 classrooms, the establishment of Type II primary healthcare centres across the state’s 260 electoral wards and the development of a multimodal transportation system.
Kalu also acknowledged the governor’s efforts to strengthen engagement between the South East and the Federal Government, while appreciating President Bola Tinubu for facilitating the establishment of the SEDC.
The senator disclosed that disagreements over the location of the commission’s headquarters had been resolved following the Enugu State Government’s provision of temporary office accommodation and a site for its permanent headquarters.
He said the resolution would enable the commission to commence operations in Enugu, adding that the committee remained committed to supporting its activities.
Kalu thanked the state government for its assistance in facilitating the commission’s take-off and reiterated the committee’s support for initiatives aimed at advancing development across the South East.
