The Senate has re-opened debate on a bill to establish the South-South Development Commission which was suspended in July.
The bill sponsored by Sen. Asuquo Ekpenyong, representing Cross River South, was kicked against by a substantial number of lawmakers three months ago
The bill was earlier suspended on argument that it is a duplication of the functions of the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC).
They argued that NDDC had already taken care of the objectives of the proposed piece of legislation.
The Bill was suspended in July, 18, 2024 after a larger number of the senators voted against it through voice votes.
However, in a fresh twist, the expression: “What is good for the goose is good for the gander,” prevailed at the plenary on Thursday, as the lawmakers began making a case for its reconsideration.
They hinged their argument on the premise that every zone is fundamentally entitled to its commission. They asserted that it will be development-based not resource-based like the NDDC.
Other lawmakers like Senator Sunday Karimi, representing Kogi West Senatorial District, however, argued that Kogi state which is also oil producing, should be included as part of the NDDC.
The Deputy Senate President Sen. Jubrin Barau, representing Kano North, suggested that the name NDDC be altered to include other states that produce oil like Bauchi and Kogi.
The bill was then referred to the committee on special duties to report back within one week.
