Enugu Media Village (EMV), the Most Updated Online News Platform— October 15, 2026.
ENUGU State Governor, His Excellency, Dr. Peter Ndubuisi Mbah, has called on the South-East Development Commission (SEDC) to prioritise the development of a regional gas pipeline, an inter-state railway network and strategic industrialisation initiatives capable of transforming the economic fortunes of the South-East.
The governor made the call on Monday while receiving the Senate Committee on the South-East Development Commission, led by its Chairman, Senator Orji Uzor Kalu, during an engagement focused on the commission’s activities and regional development prospects.
Mbah described the SEDC as a strategic institution for coordinating development across the five South-East states, stressing that adequate funding and purposeful collaboration would be essential to delivering projects capable of stimulating sustainable economic growth.
According to the governor, a high-pressure gas pipeline connecting major cities across the region would provide industries with more reliable access to gas, strengthen manufacturing and attract large-scale investments.
He noted that the South-East should benefit more effectively from the country’s gas resources, adding that improved energy infrastructure could help position the region as a major industrial and commercial hub.
Regional Railway to Boost Trade and Connectivity
The governor also proposed the development of an inter-state railway network linking major cities across Abia, Anambra, Ebonyi, Enugu and Imo states.
He explained that the proposed railway would facilitate the movement of people and goods, improve trade, strengthen regional integration and reduce pressure on the existing road network.
Mbah urged the five state governments to work together towards a common railway development framework, with the SEDC serving as a coordinating platform for planning, partnerships and implementation.
He further appealed to the National Assembly to ensure that the commission receives adequate financial support to execute projects aligned with its regional development mandate.
SEDC’s Role in Agriculture and Youth Enterprise
Beyond transportation and energy, the governor highlighted the commission’s potential to accelerate agricultural development, support technology-driven enterprises and create opportunities for young entrepreneurs.
He cited the 200-hectare integrated agricultural development programme at Nomeh Unateze in Nkanu East Local Government Area of Enugu State as an example of the kind of strategic intervention that could strengthen food production, stimulate rural economic activities and support economic diversification.
Mbah also called for funding opportunities for young entrepreneurs whose businesses have attained the minimum viable product stage, enabling them to expand operations, create jobs and contribute meaningfully to the region’s economy.
The governor reaffirmed the Enugu State Government’s readiness to support initiatives that would advance regional cooperation and promote industrial growth.
Orji Kalu Commends Mbah, Calls for Grassroots Impact
In his remarks, Senator Orji Uzor Kalu commended the Mbah administration’s interventions in infrastructure, education, healthcare, water supply and transportation.
He referenced the development of Smart Green Schools, more than 7,000 classrooms, Type-2 primary healthcare centres across the state’s 260 electoral wards and the administration’s multimodal transportation system.
The Senate committee chairman also acknowledged the progress made in establishing the commission’s operational base in Enugu, following the state government’s provision of temporary office accommodation and a site for its permanent headquarters.
However, Kalu emphasised that the commission must move beyond administrative preparations and ensure that its programmes deliver visible benefits to communities throughout the South-East.
He disclosed that the Senate committee planned to return in December to assess further progress in the commission’s operations and development activities.
A Strategic Opportunity for South-East Development
The proposed gas pipeline, railway network and industrial development initiatives represent significant opportunities for the South-East to strengthen its economic integration, improve infrastructure and attract investments.
Their successful implementation will depend on coordinated planning among the five state governments, sustained federal support, adequate financing and transparent project execution.
For Enugu State, the governor’s proposals align with the broader ambition of positioning the state as a leading destination for investment, enterprise, infrastructure development and economic transformation.
As the SEDC continues to establish its operational structures, expectations remain high that the commission will translate its mandate into practical interventions that improve livelihoods and expand opportunities across the region.
Enugu Media Village (EMV), the Most Updated Online News Platform, remains committed to promoting accountability, public participation, transparency and good governance while keeping audiences informed about developments shaping Enugu State and the South-East.
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