The House of Representatives has amended the South-West Development Commission Establishment Act, removing key revenue allocations, including 3% of seaport, airport, and oil company budgets. Lawmakers passed the bill for presidential assent, sparking concerns over regional funding and development. The decision has drawn mixed reactions from stakeholders.
The Nigerian House of Representatives has made significant changes to the South-West Development Commission Establishment Act, eliminating key revenue sources meant to fund the commission’s activities. During Wednesday’s plenary session, lawmakers deleted four critical clauses from the bill, including provisions that allocated 3% of the annual budgets from federal seaports, airports, oil-producing companies, and mining firms operating in the South-West region.
The bill, which was fast-tracked for consideration and passed in its third reading, also removed a clause that granted the commission 50% of ecological funds allocated to its member states. Proponents of the amendments argue that the changes align with national revenue distribution policies, while critics fear the decision could stifle regional development. The newly amended bill has been sent to President Bola Tinubu for assent, raising questions about the commission’s future funding and operations.
