The five South-East governors of Abia, Anambra, Ebonyi, Enugu and Imo have agreed to contribute N5 billion each to the N140 billion 2026 allocation for the South-East Development Commission (SEDC).

Chairman of the Senate committee on SEDC, Orji Uzor Kalu, disclosed this on Wednesday while submitting the commission’s 2026 budget report to the Senate committee on appropriations.

Mr Kalu said the augmentation followed consultations with governors and stakeholders to ensure impactful, development-driven project execution across the five states in 2026.

He said: “The commission received hardly any funding in the 2025 fiscal year. Consequently, several projects and strategic initiatives were suspended and remain pending.

“The 2026 proposal is therefore for fresh appropriation and necessary intervention to reactivate stalled projects and restore developmental momentum across the region.

“In view of this, and after deliberations with governors and key stakeholders, I respectfully request an additional N5 billion for each state, totalling N25 billion.

“This additional provision will enable SEDC to accelerate development in health and education, in line with the Federal Government’s Renewed Hope Agenda.”

Responding, Mohammed Monguno, who stood in for appropriations committee chairman, Solomon Adeola, lauded the initiative.

Mr Monguno expressed hope that governors in other geopolitical zones would emulate their South-East counterparts. 

(NAN)