South-East Development Commission Proposes N140bn Budget

On Tuesday, Mr. Mark Okoy, the Managing Director of the South-East Development Commission, presented a proposal for a N140 billion budget for 2026 during a budget defense session with the Senate Committee in Abuja. This budget is part of a strategic plan to grow the South-East economy to N200 billion within the next decade.

Okoy highlighted the importance of legislative backing for the budget to fully implement the region's development blueprint. He noted that the commission's strategy includes a public-private partnership model to attract investment.

Okoy described the year 2026 as a critical year for the commission, emphasizing that last year served as a foundational year. He mentioned that the commission received N957 million in 2025, primarily for investment promotion, and stressed the need for prioritizing infrastructure that directly impacts citizens.

Sen. Toni Nwoye and Sen. Orji Kalu provided insights on the importance of responsible spending and oversight to avoid misappropriation of funds.