“We’ve Waited 54 Years”: SEDC’s Chief Reveals Regional Plan, Assures inclusive growth and regional revitalization

By Onwe Wisdom |Pan Afric Reporters| July 10th, 2025

The Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of the South-East Development Commission (SEDC) Mark Okoye has assured the agency’s commitment to delivering transformative change to the region, declaring that the past 150 days have been spent laying a solid foundation for the long-awaited progress.

The MD gave the assurance today while addressing members of the National Assembly New Media Forum shortly after briefing the Senate Committee on SEDC,  emphasizes the commission full engagement in crafting a strategic development plan rooted in the needs and aspirations of Southeast Nigerians. An initiative, he explained, aligns closely with President Bola Tinubu’s “Renewed  Hope Agenda” manifesto which underscores a national push for inclusive growth and regional revitalization.

“We’ve been in office for about 150 days and in that time, we’ve worked to develop a plan that reflects the yearnings of the people of the Southeast,” he said. “This is not just another policy; this is a response to a 54-year wait.”

Speaking on the early effort of the commission, he affirms that stakeholder engagement has been at the heart of the commission’s early efforts, revealed  that SEDC has consulted extensively with a wide range of partners, including state and local governments, private sector leaders, academic institutions, civil society organizations, and most recently, international development agencies.

“We wanted to get them fired up,” he explained. “We need the private sector, development finance institutions, international partners and of course, the people of the region themselves to see where they fit in this ambitious plan.”

Despite concerns raised about funding, the MD confidently stated that it poses no obstacle to the commission’s work. “It’s not a challenge,” he said. “When the budget was passed earlier this year, it was clear that the implementation phase would begin around now. What’s most critical is that we have a solid, inclusive plan and that stakeholders are aligned. That’s what drives success.”

Reflecting on his role, the MD clarified that he is not the chairman but the Managing Director of the commission, and that his focus has been on building institutional capacity and deepening public trust.

“Government is about policy formulation that truly impacts lives,” he said. “To do that, you must listen. We’ve spent the last 150 days listening to the people and integrating their voices into our work. People will soon begin to see the impact of our work.” He said.