The Human Rights Writers Association of Nigeria (HURIWA) has issued a renewed warning over the operations of the South East Development Commission (SEDC), expressing concern that the agency may be drifting away from its core mandate of delivering visible development to the South East region.
In a statement released in Abuja by its national Coordinator, comrade EmmanuelNnadoxie Onwubiko, the rights group said there is growing unease among stakeholders over what it described as a widening gap between public expectations and the actual impact of the Commission since its establishment.
HURIWA noted that while the SEDC was created to address long-standing infrastructural deficits in the region, there is little publicly verifiable evidence of large-scale projects directly improving the lives of citizens.
The group observed that concerns from communities and civil society actors suggest that the Commission’s activities appear heavily tilted toward administrative engagements, conferences, and official travels, rather than concrete infrastructure such as roads, healthcare facilities, water systems, and schools. It warned that this perception, whether accurate or not, risks weakening public confidence in the institution.
HURIWA also referenced concerns previously raised by regional stakeholders, including the Association of Igbo Town Unions (ASITU), which has consistently called for strict accountability to prevent the Commission from becoming a platform for political patronage or elite-driven interests. The association cautioned that without proper oversight, the SEDC could face challenges similar to those that have affected other intervention agencies such as the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC).
The rights group contrasted the situation with the operational visibility of the North East Development Commission (NEDC), which it said has recorded more noticeable interventions in housing, education, healthcare, and road infrastructure across its region.
To address the emerging concerns, HURIWA called for an immediate and independent forensic audit of the Commission’s finances and project records. It urged the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) and other oversight bodies to closely examine its operations to ensure transparency and accountability.
The group further demanded the publication of all ongoing and completed projects, including contract details and implementation status, as well as a possible reconstitution of the Commission’s governing board to strengthen professionalism and reduce political interference.
HURIWA also recommended a shift toward infrastructure-focused spending, with emphasis on healthcare delivery, rural roads, education, and water projects that directly impact communities. It stressed that development agencies must be judged by measurable outcomes rather than administrative output.
The association concluded that the South East cannot afford another underperforming intervention agency and insisted that the SEDC must urgently prove its relevance through visible, people-centered development projects.
HURIWA Raises Alarm Over SEDC Performance, Demands Urgent Reforms
