SSDC Holds Inaugural Board Meeting, MD Outlines Bold Development Agenda for South-South

By Asuquo Edem

The Managing Director of the South-South Development Commission (SSDC), Usoro Akpabio, has pledged sweeping infrastructural and economic transformation across the region, as the Commission held its first inaugural board meeting.

In her address, Akpabio said the Commission was determined to move beyond rhetoric and translate vision into tangible progress. “When we look at the South-South, we won’t just see movements, but we will see projects, bold ideas taking shape, industries thriving and communities boldly stepping into their full potential,” she said.

She emphasized that the progress currently being witnessed was not accidental but the outcome of strategic leadership and deliberate policy direction. According to her, the SSDC will pursue sound engagement and implement policies that will strengthen the region’s economic backbone, while ensuring that no city, town, or rural community is left behind.

Highlighting infrastructure as the bedrock of regional transformation, Akpabio stressed the importance of roads, ports, and digital connectivity. “Every bridge we will build, every highway we will expand, every fibre optic we lay will bring our people closer to prosperity,” she declared.

The SSDC boss also outlined plans to invest in capacity building, innovation, and digital tools, with a special focus on supporting entrepreneurs, small and medium enterprises, women, and youths. She maintained that the people of the South-South would not just be beneficiaries of development, but active drivers of growth.

The inaugural meeting marks the formal kick-off of the Commission’s activities, setting the stage for what Akpabio described as a “South-South that is strong, competitive and inclusive.”

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