The Igbo Community Association FCT has rejected the reasons given by the Managing Director of the South East Development Commission (SEDC), Mark Okoye, for the commission’s slow start-up of activities. The community, which represents the interests of South Easterners in the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja, has accused the SEDC of being a “glaring failure” and a means to settle individuals rather than driving development in the region.
Engr Ikenna Ellis-Ezenekwe, President General of the Igbo Community Association FCT, expressed disappointment with the SEDC’s performance, stating that the commission has failed to articulate its plans or demonstrate tangible progress. “We don’t even know what the plans of SEDC are. It has become a means to settle the boys. We the South easterners would not settle for that,” Ellis-Ezenekwe said.
Mark Okoye, Managing Director of SEDC, has defended the commission’s approach, stating that it’s focused on building strong institutional foundations despite a challenging fiscal environment. Okoye emphasized that the SEDC is not a “quick wins” agency, but rather a strategic body driving long-term regional growth.
In his words, “Regional development is, by definition, long-term, evidence-driven, and capital-intensive”. He added that planning, institution-building, and coordination are crucial to the commission’s success, and that execution collapses without them.
Okoye highlighted the commission’s achievements, including aligning with all five south-east state governments on a shared regional development framework, now being expanded through the South East Vision 2050 process. The commission has also secured presidential approval for the South East Investment Company as its capital mobilisation and project preparation vehicle. Additionally, bankable region-wide project concepts have been developed in rail, power, gas, industrial parks, agro-estates, and economic corridors.
The controversy highlights the challenges facing the SEDC, which must now demonstrate its commitment to driving real change in the South East region. The Igbo Community Association FCT’s rejection of the SEDC’s reasons for its slow pace adds pressure on the commission to take concrete steps towards fulfilling its mandate.
