Mbah Urges SEDC to Prioritise Gas Pipelines, Regional Rail

By Atlantic Reports

Gov. Peter Mbah of Enugu State has called on the South East Development Commission (SEDC) to make a regional gas pipeline and an inter-state railway its priority projects, saying both would speed up economic growth in the zone.

 

Mbah made the call on Monday when he received a delegation of the Senate Committee on the SEDC, led by its Chairman, Sen. Orji Uzor Kalu.

 

According to the governor, the projects would boost industrial activity, improve connectivity among the five South East states and deepen regional integration.

 

He also urged the National Assembly to ensure the commission is adequately funded, describing it as a strategic platform for meeting the region's development needs.

 

"For us in the South East, this Committee is one of the most important committees of the National Assembly, given the immense development prospects it holds for our people," he said.

 

Mbah described a high-pressure gas pipeline linking major cities across the region as critical to giving industries a reliable gas supply and stimulating large-scale industrial development.

 

He argued that the South East should benefit from gas produced across the wider southern region, noting that pipelines already carry gas to other parts of the country.

 

On rail, the governor proposed a network linking major cities in the five states to facilitate trade, improve transportation and ease pressure on the roads.

 

He urged the states to work together on a common railway design, with the SEDC serving as the platform for coordination and regional cooperation.

 

Mbah also highlighted the commission's role in supporting agriculture and technology-driven enterprises, pointing to the flag-off of a 200-hectare integrated Agro Development Programme at Nomeh Unateze, Enugu State.

 

He asked the senators to back efforts to secure the funding needed to implement the project, which he described as a potential catalyst for an industrial revolution.

 

Earlier, Kalu commended the Mbah administration's interventions in infrastructure, education, healthcare, water supply and transportation.

 

He cited the state's Smart Green Schools, more than 7,000 classrooms, Type II primary healthcare centres across its 260 electoral wards, and its multimodal transportation system.

 

The senator also acknowledged Mbah's efforts to strengthen engagement between the South East and the Federal Government, and thanked President Bola Tinubu for facilitating the establishment of the SEDC.

 

Kalu disclosed that the issue surrounding the commission's headquarters had been resolved, after the Enugu State Government provided temporary office accommodation and a site for its permanent headquarters.

 

He thanked Mbah for supporting the commission's take-off and assured him of the committee's continued support.