In a strategic move aimed at boosting regional development and legislative oversight, Senate President Godswill Akpabio has officially named Senator Dr. Benson Friday Konbowei, representing Bayelsa Central, as Chairman of the Standing Committee on the South-South Development Commission (SSDC). This appointment underscores the Senate’s commitment to enhancing development initiatives in Nigeria’s oil-rich South-South geopolitical zone.
Senator Asuquo Ekpeyong was appointed Vice Chairman of the committee, ensuring strong leadership continuity within this key legislative body. Other committee members include prominent senators such as Onowakpo Thomas Joel, Benson Friday Agadaga, Neda Bernards Imasuen, and Mustapha Musa among others, reflecting broad representation from across Nigeria.
The South-South Development Commission was established to address the socio-economic challenges faced by the South-South states, a region pivotal to Nigeria’s oil economy yet burdened with developmental deficits. The committee’s mandate includes monitoring and supporting federal and state programs aimed at infrastructural development, environmental remediation, youth empowerment, and economic diversification.
As chairman, Senator Konbowei will oversee legislative oversight on SSDC projects, ensuring transparency, accountability, and timely implementation of development programs that are crucial to improving the welfare of millions in the South-South states: Bayelsa, Rivers, Akwa Ibom, Cross River, Delta, and Edo.
A seasoned politician and committed public servant, Dr. Konbowei’s political career spans over three decades, marked by progressive leadership roles within Bayelsa State. He began his journey as a councillor in 1992 and has since held critical positions including Chairman of the Southern Ijaw Local Government Council, Speaker of the Bayelsa State House of Assembly, and Secretary to the Bayelsa State Government.
Elected to the Nigerian Senate in 2023 under the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Senator Konbowei is known for his focus on grassroots development, advocacy for improved education and healthcare, and championing infrastructural projects in his constituency.
Senate President Godswill Akpabio, a veteran politician from Akwa Ibom State, has emphasized his administration’s goal to harness the potential of regional commissions like the SSDC as engines for inclusive growth and stability. By appointing experienced legislators such as Konbowei and Ekpeyong, the Senate aims to strengthen legislative support and oversight on projects designed to transform the South-South region.
This appointment is expected to foster stronger collaboration between the Senate, state governments, and development partners to address issues ranging from environmental degradation caused by oil exploration to infrastructural deficits and youth unemployment.
Beyond regional focus, the South-South Development Commission Standing Committee plays a critical role in shaping Nigeria’s broader development agenda. It serves as a platform for advocating policies that align with federal efforts to diversify the economy away from oil dependency and promote sustainable development.
Senator Konbowei’s leadership is anticipated to bring renewed vigor to the committee’s work, leveraging his vast experience and local insights to ensure that the South-South region benefits equitably from national development programs.
As Senator Konbowei assumes this strategic chairmanship, stakeholders across the South-South region are hopeful that enhanced legislative oversight will translate into tangible improvements in infrastructure, job creation, and social welfare. The committee’s work will be pivotal in guiding government initiatives that promise a brighter, more prosperous future for millions of Nigerians in the oil-producing states.
The Senate’s announcement also signals a period of intensified legislative activity, with increased focus on regional development commissions, signaling Nigeria’s commitment to addressing long-standing regional disparities through collaborative governance and effective policymaking.