The Chairman of the Governing Board of the South-South Development Commission, SSDC, Rt. Hon. Chibudom Nwuche, has urged members of the board and management to uphold the highest standards of accountability, transparency, integrity and professionalism in managing the newly established regional development agency.
Speaking at the Fourth Regular Meeting of the Governing Board held in Abuja, Nwuche stressed that the success of the commission depends on discipline, teamwork and strict adherence to due process and statutory guidelines. He warned that failure to maintain high standards could undermine public trust in the institution and weaken its developmental mandate.
Nwuche emphasised that all board members must prioritise collective responsibility over personal interests, noting that no individual possesses all the expertise required to deliver on the commission’s broad mandate.
“We must not do anything that would bring ridicule to this Commission, embarrassment to our region, or disappointment to those who entrusted us with this important national responsibility.” He added that institutional loyalty, cooperation and adherence to the Commission’s Establishing Act were essential to achieving results.
The SSDC chairman explained that the commission’s mandate covers critical sectors aimed at accelerating socio-economic development in the South-South region.
These include infrastructure, transportation, energy, waterways, agriculture, industry, environmental remediation and other strategic areas outlined in its enabling law. He urged members to remain open to ideas and collaboration across all levels of management.
“None of us, not myself as Chairman, the Managing Director, the Executive Directors, nor any member of the Board, possesses all that is required to achieve the lofty goals for which this Commission was created.”
Nwuche reminded members that although the commission was formally established following presidential assent on March 25, 2025, and board appointments were later confirmed in June 2025, the institution has already spent a significant portion of its limited tenure period.
He noted that less than three years remain for the current board to deliver measurable impact. According to him, this makes urgency, discipline and focus critical to achieving meaningful outcomes.
“The people of the South-South region expect tangible results, and rightly so.”
The chairman commended the management team for laying early operational foundations despite funding and structural challenges.
He noted that while overhead funds had been received, capital allocations were still undergoing budgetary processes. He therefore urged management to develop short-term, medium-term and long-term project blueprints to ensure readiness for immediate execution once funds are released.
The meeting was attended by senior board members and executive management of the commission, including Managing Director/CEO Ms Usoro Akpabio and other key officials overseeing finance, projects, corporate services, commercial and environmental departments, and social and human capital development.
Others present included members of the governing board and executive directors responsible for implementation and strategic coordination across the commission’s mandate areas.
Nwuche reiterated that the commission must operate as a disciplined, transparent and results-oriented institution capable of driving development in the South-South region. He said public expectations are high and the commission must justify the confidence placed in it through measurable delivery and institutional integrity.
“We owe our people and the nation a Commission that is focused, disciplined, transparent, innovative, accountable, and results-oriented.”
