The Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Benjamin Kalu, has urged Nigerians, especially the youth from the South East, to avoid participating in the upcoming nationwide strike.
Instead, he encourages them to engage in dialogue with the Federal Government to address the country’s challenges.
According to The PUNCH, speaking in Abuja on Wednesday, Kalu addressed journalists about the significance of the bill’s enactment.
He highlighted that President Bola Tinubu’s recent approval of the South East Development Commission Bill will facilitate the much-needed infrastructural development in the region, which has long been neglected by previous administrations.
“To my fellow South-Easterners, I implore you not to join the planned anti-government protests. Instead, let us view the signing of the SEDC bill into law as a testament to the President Bola Tinubu administration’s resolve to heal the wounds of the past, bury the rumors of the marginalization of the South-East geopolitical zone, and renew the hope of the nation towards equitable economic growth and socio-cultural renewal,” Kalu said.
He also appealed to Nigerians across the country to ignore the calls for protest and instead trust in the ongoing reforms of the current administration.
The Deputy Speaker believes that these reforms, although gradual, will lead to significant economic improvements, including a reversal of inflation and economic stabilization, which will in turn spur job creation through industrialization and initiatives like the SEDC.
According to Kalu, the SEDC will manage and allocate funds from the Federation Account to rebuild and rehabilitate infrastructure damaged during the civil war, address ecological and environmental issues, and support development in the South-East states of Abia, Imo, Enugu, Anambra, and Ebonyi.
Kalu, who represents Bende Federal Constituency, expressed gratitude to President Tinubu for signing the bill into law, describing it as a crucial step towards revitalizing the South East and harnessing its resources for the benefit of its people and the nation.
He also emphasized his commitment to tackling security issues in the region through a combination of legislative efforts and non-violent measures.
“Our innovative mindedness will leverage the opportunities in the digital economy, our creativity will birth a greater cultural and entertainment platform such as Igbowood and our youth and women demography will play a major role in the energy of our development. It is time to put our huge gap deposit in the region to use for industrial parks that will bring value to the nation. Most of the radicalized youths will now have jobs to engage them productively among others,” Kalu concluded.
