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SSDC Begins Historic South-South Regional Tour in Bayelsa, Seeks Stronger Partnership with State Governments





The South-South Development Commission (SSDC) has commenced its maiden regional tour of the six South-South states with a strategic visit to Bayelsa State, signaling a renewed drive to strengthen collaboration with state governments and deliver people-centred development across the region.

The high-level delegation, led by the Chairman of the Board and the Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer, Ms. Usoro O. Akpabio, FRSA, FCE, alongside Board Members and Executive Directors, was received on Wednesday by Bayelsa State Governor, Douye Diri, and members of the State Executive Council at Government House, Yenagoa.







The visit marks the beginning of a regional consultation initiative designed to deepen partnerships with the governments of the South-South states and ensure that the Commission's programmes and interventions align with the development priorities of each state.

Speaking during the engagement, the Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer, Ms. Usoro Akpabio, reaffirmed the Commission's commitment to fostering sustainable, inclusive and impactful development through close collaboration with state governments. She stressed that the SSDC was established to complement—not duplicate—existing development efforts by aligning Federal Government interventions with state-specific needs and priorities.

As part of the tour, the delegation inspected strategic projects across Bayelsa State to gain first-hand knowledge of ongoing development efforts and identify areas where the Commission can provide meaningful support and intervention.

Discussions during the engagement centred on critical sectors including infrastructure, human capital development, youth and women empowerment, environmental sustainability, renewable energy, the blue economy, gas-based industrialisation, ICT and digital innovation, investment promotion, and community development.

Governor Douye Diri commended the Commission for choosing Bayelsa as the first stop on its regional tour, expressing confidence that the SSDC would serve as a catalyst for accelerated development across the South-South. He urged the Commission to sustain close collaboration with the governors of the region in identifying and executing projects that will directly improve the lives of the people.

In his vote of thanks, the Chairman of the SSDC Board appreciated Governor Diri and the Bayelsa State Government for the warm reception and fruitful engagement. He reaffirmed the Board's commitment to working with Bayelsa and other South-South states to achieve the Commission's developmental mandate.

The Bayelsa visit is the first in a series of engagements with governors across the South-South as the Commission intensifies stakeholder consultations, builds strategic partnerships, and develops interventions tailored to the unique needs of each state.

The maiden regional tour reflects the SSDC's vision of collaborative governance and inclusive regional development, laying a solid foundation for a more prosperous, economically integrated, and sustainable South-South region.


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