Nigeria's South-South Development Commission Funding Overhaul Approved for Review

The House of Representatives Committee on the South‑South Development Commission reconvened a public hearing in Abuja to examine a proposed amendment to the Commission’s Establishment Act. The amendment would require oil operators in the South‑South region to contribute three percent of their annual budgets to the Commission, broadening its funding base.

Committee Chairman Rep. Julius Pondi noted that many stakeholders missed the initial July 8 hearing due to the Nigerian Oil and Gas Conference, prompting the resumption. Petroleum regulators and industry operators expressed concerns about the levy, while the committee emphasized a transparent, consultative legislative process. The goal is to give the Commission greater financial capacity to address persistent infrastructure deficits, environmental degradation, and socio‑economic challenges in Nigeria’s South‑South region.