South-South Development Commission (Establishment) Act, 2025

1. Establishment of the South-South Development Commission 1, Establishment of the South-South Development Commission 2.2. Establishment Establishment ofofthe the Governing Governing Board Board 3. . Appointment Appointment of of members members of of the the Board Board 4.4. Tenure Tenure ofof office office 5.5 . Rotation Rotation ofofoffice office of of Chairman Chairman and and Managing Managing Director Director 6.6. Resignation, Resignation, cessation cessation or or removal removal from from membership membership ofof the the Board Board 7. Allowances of members

7. Allowances of members PART II – FUNCTIONSAND POWERS OF THECOMMISSION PART Il — FUNCTIONS AND POWERS OF THE COMMISSION 88. . Functions and powers of the Commission Functions and powers of the Commission

9. Powersof the Board

9. Powers of the Board PART Ill — STRUCTURE OF THE COMMISSION PART III – STRUCTUREOF THE COMMISSION 10. Structure of the Commission

10. Structure of the Commission 11, Management Committee

11. Management Conunittee

12. Establishment 12, Establishment of of the the South-South South-South Development Advisory Committee Development Advisory Committee PART IV — STAFF OF THE COMMISSION PART IV – STAFF OF THE COMMISSION 13, Appointment of the Managing Director and Executive Directors of the Commi 13' Appointment of the Managing Director and Executive Directors of the Conunission 14, Pension

14. Pension PART V — FINANCIAL PROVISIONS PART V – FINANCIAL PROVISIONS

15. Fund of the Commission 15, Fund of the Commission 16. Expenditure of the Commission

16. Expenditure of the Commission 17. Gift to the Commission

17. Gift to the Commission 18. Power to borrow

18. Power to borrow

19. Annual

19. Annual estimates estimates andand expenditure expenditure

20. Quarterly

20. Quarterly report report 21. Annual report

21. Annual report PART VI – MISCELLANEOUS PROVISIONS PART VI — MISCELLANEOUS PROVISIONS

22. Office and premises ofthe Commission

22. Office andpremises of the Commission 23. Public Officers Protection Act

23. Public Officers Protection Act 24, Service of notice, summons and other documents

24. Service of notice, summons andother documents 25. Restriction on execution of judgment debts

25. Restriction on execution of judgment debts

26. Indemnityof officers

26. Indemnity of officers 27. Interpretation

27. Interpretation 28. Citation

28. Citation Schedule Schedule SOUTH-SOUTH SOUTH-SOUTHDEVELOPMENT DEVELOPMENT COMMISSION COMMISSION(ESTABLISHMENT) (ESTABLISHMENT) ACT, ACT)2025 2025 ABill A Bill For For An Act An +ct toto establish fstablish the South-SouthDevelopment the South-South DevelopmentCommission Commissioncharged with the charged with the responsibility responsibiUtytoto receive recelve andid manage al:d managefunds fundsfrom from the the paste FederationAccount Account allocation allocationand andother othersources, sources9donations, donations9 grants, grants' aids aIds for .for the integration,ddevelopment,resolution the integration, resolution ofof infrastructural infrastructural deficit, dencit9militancy, miutancy: communalcrises cecal cases as well asas tackle as well tackle ecological, environmentalproblems; ecological, cliiameatal problems;and andfor for related relatedmatters. matters. ' ’ t 1 ‘Commencement Commencement ENACTED by the National Assembly of the Federal Republic of Nigeria — ENACTEDbY the National Assembly of the Federal Republic of Nigeria PART | — COMMISSION ESTABLISHMENT OF THE SOUTH-SOUTH DEVELOPMENT PART 1 – ESTABLISHMENTOF THE SOUTH-SOUTHDEVELOPMENT COMMISSION AND THE GOVERNING BOARD AND THE GOVERNINGBOARD 1.1' (1) (1) There There isis established referred to established the the South-South South-SouthDevelopment DevelopmentCommission Commission(in (in this this Act Act Establishment Establishment ofof referred to as as "the "the Commission"). Commission"). thethe South-South South-South Development (2) The (2) The Commission Commission shall shall be be aa body body corporate corporatewith with perpetual perpetual succession succession and and aa “™*S°" Commis Commission ‘common seal and may sue or be sued inits corporate name. common seal and may sue or be sued in its corporate name. 2.2• (1) There (1) There is established is established for for the the Commission, Commission, aa Governing Governing– Board Board (in (in this this Act Act referred referred Establishment Establishment ofof toto asas “the Board”) which shall consist of — “the Board”) which shall consist of – ' Ces the Governing Board (a) the Chairman; (a) the Chairman; (b) the Managing Director; (b) the Managing Director; (c) one (©) one person person each each who who shall shall be be an an indigene indigene to to represent representthe the following following member States – member States — (i) Akwa Ibom, (i) Akwa Ibom, (i) Bayelsa, (ii) Bayelsa, Cross River, (iii) Cross River, (iv) Delta, iv) Delta, (¥) Edo, and, (v) Edo, and (vi) Rivers; (vi) Rivers; (@(d) one oneperson personeach eachtoto represent represent the the other other five five geopolitical geopolitical zones zones ofof the the country listed below — country listed below – (i)a) North Central, North Central, i) North West, (ii) North West, (ii) South East, (iii) South East, (iv) North East, and (iv) North East, and (¥) South West; (v) South West; (©(e) five five Executive Executive Directors; Directors; and and (fone i the (f) oneperson representing each of the States who are not members of the the Management: Management : Provided that !rovided that no no State State shall shall have have the the position position of of the the Managing Director and Managing Director and an an Executive Director Executive at the Director at the same same time. time. 3. (1) The Chairman, the Managing Director, Executive Directors andother members of Appointmentof

3. (1) The Chairman, the Managing Director, Executive Directors and other members of Appointment of members of the the Board Board shall shall be be appointed appointed by bY the the President, President, subject subject to the confirmation ofofthe the roel Board of the Senate9and Senate, and must must be be persons of proven persons of integrity and proven integrity and ability. ability. " (2) The members ofthe Board referred to in section 2 (1) (c)-(P) of this Act shall be (2) The members of the Board referred to in section 2 (1) (c)-(f) of this Act shall be part-time members. part-time members. (8) The supplementary provisions se out inthe Schedule to this Act shall ave eet (3) The supplementarY provisions set out in the Schedule to this Act shall have effect say with respect to thepi the Board and the other Schedule wah respect to the proceedings of the Board and the other matters contained in it. 4, Subject to ie provisions of svton 3 cena Ae Act, a member of the Board, other than Tenure 4' Subject to the provisions of section 3 of this Act, a member of the Board9 other than of office Tenure of office hall hold anex-of$cio member, shall hold office office for foraaterm of f four years at the first instance and maY be may be repainted fora fata re-appointed for term ofof four further term four years years and and no no more. more.

5. The office of the Chairman and the Managing Director shall rotate among the member 5' The office of the Chairman andthe Managing Director shall rotate among the member Rotation of office States of the Com: s of of Chairman and Chairman States of the Commission where every member Stateshall be given equal opportunity. Managing Director Managing Director

6. (1)

6. (1) AA member member ofof the the Board Board other than ex-offIcio otherthan ex-officio member, member) may may resign his oror her resign his her Resignation, Resignation, appointment appolntment by bY notice notice in in writing writing addressed to addressed the to the President, which President, which resignation resignation sation oror Ssstion cessatIon or shall take effect only upon receipt and approval by the President. tnembership ofthe shall take effect onIY upon receipt and approval by the President. removal from membership of the Board Board (2) A member of the Board may cease membership if the member — (2) A member of the Board may ceasemembership if the member – (@) becomes of unsound mind, or incapable of discharging his duties; (a) becomesof unsound mind, or incapable of discharging his duties; (b)(b) becomes becomes bankrupt, creditors; bankrupt> suspends suspendspayment paymentoror compounds compoundswith with his his creditors; (©)(c) isisconvicted convicted ofofa afelony felony or or any anyoffence offenceinvolving involving dishonesty dishonesty ororfraud; fraud; (Gd) (d) isis guilty guilty ofof serious serious misconduct misconduct ininrelation relation totohis his duties; duties; (©) (e) inin the the case of aa person case of person possessed possessedof of professional professional qualifications, qualifications) heheisis disqualifiedoror suspended, isqualified suspended) other other than thanatathis his own ownrequest, request, from practicing practicinghis hisprofession profession inin any any part part ofof the the world worldbyby ananorder orderofof a a ‘competent competent authority authoritY made made in respect respect ofofthat that member; member; oror (O(f) resigns resigns his his appointment appointment by by aa letter letter addressed addressed toto the the President. President WheTaa vacancy (3) Where (3) vacancY occurs in the occurs in themembership membership of of the theBoard, Board, itit shall be filled shall be filledbyby appointment of a person representing the area where the vacancy exists, to appolntmentof a person representingthe area where the vacancy exists) to theremainder complete the of the remainder of theterm term ofof office officeofof the the predecessor predecessor and andshall shall bebe appointed by i i i appointed by the President subject to the confirmation of the Senate in consultation with the House of Representatives. with the House of Representatives. 7.7' There There shall be paid shall be paid to to every member of the the Board Board such i such remuneration9 allowances and Allowances Allowances of of expenses as expenses the Federal as the Federal Government Government may may direct. direct. maceabers members PART II PART II — FUNCTIONS AND POWERS OF THE COMMISSION FUNCTIONSAND POWERS OF THE COMMISSION

8. (1) The Commission shall have powers to —

8. (1) The Commission shall have powers to – Functions and Functions and powers ofthe powers of the (a) formulate policies (a) formulate policies and and guidelines guidelinesfor for the the development development of of the the South- south_ Commission Commission South South States; States; (b) conceive, (b) conceive, plan plan and and implement, implement, inin accordance accordance with with the the set set rules rules and and regulations, regulationsp Projects and programmes projects and programmes for for sustainable sustainable development development of of uth States in the field of transportation including roads, the South-South States in the field of transportation including roads, health, 7 employment, agriculture, industrialisation, housing health! education9 emploYment, agriculture, industrialisation, housing and urban development, water supply, electricity and and urban development,water supply, electricity and telecommunictions; telecommunications ; (©) cause the South-South States to be surveyed in order to ascertain (c) cause the South-South States to be surveyed in order to ascertain measures which are necessary to promote its physical and socio- measures which are necessary to promote its physical and socio- economic development; economic development; (@) prepare master plans and schemes designed to promote the physical (d) prepare master plans and schemes designed to promote the physical development of the South-South States and the estimates of the costs development of the South-South States and the estimates of the costs of implementing such master plans and schemes; of implementing such master plans and schemes; (©)(e)implement implementall all the themeasures measures approved approvedforfor the thedevelopment developmentofofthe South-South Statesby the Federal Government and the member States the outh-South States by the Federal Government and the member States ofof the the Commission; Commission; (®)(f) identify factors inhibiting the development of the South-South States identifY factors inhibiting the development of the South-South States and assist thethe member member States Statesinin the theformulation formulationand andimplementation implementation ofof policies to ensure sound and efficient management of the resources policies to ensuresound and efficient management of the resources of the South-South States; of the South-South States; (g)(gi assess and report on any project being funded or carried out in the assess and report on any project being funded or carried out the South-South South-South States States by by mineral mineral extracting extracting and and mining mining companies, companies) oiloil and andgas gas producing producing companies, companies, andand any any other other company company including including non- non_ governmental organisations governmental organisations and and ensure ensure that that funds funds released released for fo; such such projects are projects are properly properly utilised; utilised; (h) tackle (1) tackleeeoloiel ecological and and environmental environmentalproblems problemsthat that wise ariseom from the the extractIonand extraction andmining mmhg of of solid solid minerals, minerals, exploration explorationof of oil oil mineral mineral in the South-South States and advise the Federal Government and the the South. South States and advise the Federal Government and the member States member Statesonon the the prevention preventionand and control control of of oil oil spillages, spillages! gas gas flaring and environmental pollution; flaring and environmental pollution; a) liaise (i) liaisewith with the the various solid mineral various solid extractionand mineral extraction andmining miningcompanies companies and oil and gas prospecting and producing companies on all mat and oil and gas prospecting and producing companies on all matters of pollution prevention and control; and of pollution prevention and control; and )G) execute execute such otherthe works and perform such other functions which in such otherworks and perform such otherfunctionswhich in the opinion the opinion of of the Commission are required for the sustainable Commissionare requiredfor the sustainable development of the South-South States and its people. development of the South-South States and its people. @(2) inhave Ka exercising a functions and powers under this section, the Commission shall exercising its functions and powers under this section> the Commission shall e varied and specific contributions of each member State of the regard to the varied and specific contributions of each member State of the Commission. eaaaian 3) The Commission shall be subject to the direction, control or supervision in the (3) The Commission shall be subject to the direction! control or supervision in the performance of its functions under this Act by the President. performanceof its functions underthis Act by the President.

9. The Board shall have power to —

9. The Board shall have power to Powers of the Powers of the Board Board (a) manage and superintend the affairs of the Commission; (a) manage and superintend the affairs of the Commission; for (b) makes rules andregulations for the performance of the functions of the ions of the Commission; Commission; (©) enter (c) enter and and inspect inspect premises, premises, projects projects and and such places as such places as may may be be necessary necessarYforfor the the purposes purposes ofof performance performanceof of its its functions functions under this underthis ct, Act: (@)(d) pay the staff of the Commission such remuneration and allowances as paY the staff of the Commission such remuneration and allowances as are payable to persons of equivalent grades in the civil service of the are paYableto persons of equivalent grades in the civil service of the Federation; Federation; (e) enter (©) enter into into such such contracts contracts asasmay may bebe necessary necessaryor or expedient expedient for for the the mance ofof itsits functions performance functions and and ensure ensurethe theefficient efficient performance performance ofof the the functions functions ofof thethe Commission; Commission; (f(f) employ employeither eitherdirectly directly oror onon secondment secondment fromfrom anyanycivil civil ororpublic public service service in in the Federation Federation or or aa State Statesuch such number number ofof employees employees asasmay may bebe inin the the opinion opinion of of the the Board, Board, be be required required toto assist assist the the Board Board in in the the performance performance ofof any anyofofitsits functions functionsunder underthis this Act; Act; (@)(g) pay paY toto persons persons soso employed employed such such remunerat Juding allowances, remuneration, including allowances9 asas the Board may the Board may determine; determine; an and (h) do such other things as are necessary and expedient for the efficient (h) do such otherthings as are necessary and expedient for the efficient performance of the functions of the Commission. performance of the functions of the Commission. PART III — STRUCTURE OF THE COMMISSION PART III – STRUCTURE OF THE COMMISSION

10. (1) The head office of the Commission shall be situated in Uyo, Akwa Ibom State. 10• (1) The head office of the Commission shall be situated in U),o, Akwa Ibom State. Structureofof the Structure ‘Commission the Commission (2) There (2) There shall shall be be established established in the head in the head office office ofof the the Commission, Commission9 the the Directorates Directorates 0 of — (@) Administration and (a) Administration and Human Human Resources; Resources; (b) Community (b) Community and and Rural Development; Rural Development; ies, Infrastructural (c) Utilities, (c) Util Development and InfrastructuralDevelopment Waterways; and Waterways; (d) (d) Environmental Environmental Protection and Control; Protection and Control; (©) Finance and Supply; (e) Finance and Supply; (f Solid Minerals, Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry; (f) Solid Minerals, Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry; (g) Planning? (g) Planning, Research Research and and Statistics Statistics and and Management Information ManagementInformation System; System; (h) Legal (h) Legal Service Services; (i)(j) Education, Education, Health Health and and Social Social Services; Services; @)G) Commercial and Industrial Development; Commercial and Industrial Development; (k) (k) Projects Projects Monitoring Monitoringand andSupervision; Supervision; and and ()(1) Youth Youth and and Women Women Affairs Affairs Development. Development. (3) (3) The The Board Board may may increase and expedient increase the the number numberofof Directorates Directorates asas itit may maydeem deannecessary necessary and expedient to to facilitate facilitate the the realisation realisation ofof the the objectives objectives ofof the the Commission. Commission. (4) SouthComunlasion The shall establish an office in each member State of the South- (4) The Commission shall establish an office in each member State of the South- South zorzone. 11.

11. There There shall shall be be for for the the Commission, Commission) aa Management Management Committee Committee which which shall — shall _ Management Management Committee Committee (a) consist (@) consist of of the the Managing Director asas the Managing Director the head; head; b(b)) thethe DiDirectors responsible for for the the Directorates establishedunder section 1010 ofof this this Act Act and andpi such number number ofof other other members members asas may may bebe determined by determined by the the Board; Board; andand (©) beadministration responsible toofthethe Board and the Managing Director for the general (c) be responsible to the Board and the Managing Director for the general administration of the Commission, Commission.

12. (1) 12, (1) There There isis established for the established for Commission, aa South-South the Commission, Development Advisory South-South Development Exablshmentofof Advisory Establishment Committee(in this Act referred to as “the Advisory Committee”)which shall the South-South Committeeof – (in this Act referred to as “the Advisory Committee”) which shal] the Sou Devsopoeat consist o consist Development Advisory ‘Committee Committee (@) the Governors of the member States of the Commission; and (a) the Governors of the member States of the Commission; and (b) two (b) two persons as may be determined by the President, who shall be persons as may be determinedby the President, who shall be indigenes of the member States, one of whom shall serve as Secretary indigenes of the member States, one of whom shall serve as Secretary of the Commission. of the Commission. (2) The Advisory Committee shall be chargedwi advising th (2) The Advisory Committee shall be charged with the responsibility of advising the Board, guiding and monitoring the activities jo the Camis wit aloo Board, guiding and monitoringthe activities of the Commissionwith a viewto achieving the objectives ofthe Commission, achieving the objectives of the Commission. (3) The Advisory Committee may make rules regulating its own proceedings. (3) The Advisory Committee may make rules regulating its own proceedings. PART IV – STAFF OF THECOMMISSION PART IV — STAFF OF THE COMMISSION

13. (1)

13. There shall (1) There shall be be for for the Commission, aa Managing the Commission, Managing Director Director and and five five Executive Executive Appointment Appointmentof the of the Directors who Directors who shall shall bebe indigenes indigenesofof the the South-South South-South States States and shall rotate and shall Managing Director rotate Managing Director amongst the member States and shall— amongst the member States and shall Diocton of 6 ed ExecutIvE Directorsof the Commission Commission (@)(a)have have such such qualification qualification and and experience experience asasare areappropriate appropriatefor for a aperson person required to perform the functions ofthat office under this Act; requlred to perform the functions of that office under this Act; (b)(b)bebe appointed appointed by by the the President President and andconfirmed confirmed bybythe the Senate; Senate; (©)(c) hold office on such terms and conditions as to emolument, conditions hold office on such terms and conditions as to emo lumen> conditions ofof service service asasmay maYbe specified ininhishis letter be specified letter ofof appointment appointment and andsubject subject to thethe provision provisionofofsection 3 ofthis Act. section of this Act. (2) The (2) The Managing Managing Director Director shall shall bebethe the chief chief executive executive and andaccounting accounting officer officer ofof thethe ion; Commission; Commissic 3)(3) The The Managing Managing Director Director shall, shall, subject subject toto the the general general direction direction ofof the the Board, Board, bebe responsible for — responsible for – (@) the administration of the Commission; (a) the administration of the Commission; (b) keeping (b) keeping the the books books and and proper proper records records ofofthe the proceedings proceedings ofofthe the Board; Board; (c) the (©) the administration administration ofofthe the secretariat secretariat of of the the Board; Board; and and (d) the (@) the general Commission. direction and control of all other employees of the general direction and control of all other employeesof the mmissior (4) The Board shall have power to — (4) The Board shall have power to – (a) employ (a) employ either either directly directly or or on on secondment secondment from from any any civil civil or or public public service in the service in in the Federation the opinion or aa State Federation or of the Board9 such number Statesuch number be required of employees of employees to assist asas may, the Board in thi may9 in the opinion of the Board, be required to assist the Board in the performance of any of its functions under this Act; and performanceof any of its functionsunder this Act; and (b) as pay to peBoard may, afterconsultationwith the Federal Civil Service (b) paY to persons so employed such remuneration (including allowances) as the Board may, -_ coma with the Federal Civil Service the ‘Commission, determin Commission, determine. 14, (1) Service in the Commission shall be as approved for the purposes of the Pension 14' (1) Service in the Commission shall be as approved for the purposes of the Pension Reform Act. Pension ‘eform Act. Act No. 4 of 2014 (2) The officers and other persons employed in the Commission shall be entitled to (2) The officers and otherpersons employedin the Commission shall be entitled to pensions, gratuities penslons> gratuities and and other other retirement retirement benefits benefits asas are are enjoyed enjoyed byby persons persons holding equivalent grades in the civil service of the Federation. holding equivalent grades in the civil service of the Federation. (3) Nothing in subsections (1) and (2) shall prevent the appointment of a person to (3) Nothing in subsections (1) and (2) shall prevent the appointment of a person to any office anY that office onon terms office. terms which which prelude prelude the the grant grant ofof pension pension and and gratuity gratuity inin respect respect ofof that office, @F icati is ‘the Pensions Reform Act, (4) For the purposesof the application of the provisions of the Pensions Reform Act, ‘any power exercisable by the Minister or other authority of the Government of any power exercisable by the Minister or otherauthority of the Government of the Federation, other than the power to make regulations under section 13 (1), is the Federation, other than the power to make regulations under section 13 (1)> is i isi any other person vested in and shall be exercisable by the Commission, and not by any other person or authority or authority. PART V — FINANCIAL PROVISIONS PART V – FINANCIAL PROVISIONS

15. (1) 15, (1) The The Commission Commissionshallshall establish establishand and maintain maintain aa Fund Fund from from which which shall shall be be Fund of the Fund of the defrayed all defrayed all expenditure expenditure incurred incurred by by the the Commission. Commission. Commission Commission (2) There shall be paid from the Consolidated Revenue Fund of the Federation and (2) There shall be paid from the Consolidated Revenue Fund of the Federation and credited to the Fund established in subsection (1) — credited to the Fund established in subsection (1) – (a) from (a) from the the Federal Federal Government, Government,the the equivalent equivalentofof 15% 15% ofof the the total total monthly statutory monthly statutory allocations allocations due due toto member member States States ofof the the ‘Commission from Commission from the the Federation Account; Federation Account; (b) such (b) such money money as as may may be be granted granted oror lent lent to or or deposited depositedwith with the the Commission by Commission by the the Federal or aa State Federal or State Government, Government, any any other other body body or or institution whether institution whether local local or or foreign; foreign; (©) all money (c) all money raised for the raised for the purposes of the purposes of the Commission Commission by by way way of of gifts, gifts, loan, grants-in-aid, testamentary loan, grants-in-aid, testamentary disposition disposition oror otherwise; otherwise; and (d) proceeds (@) from all proceeds from all other other assets assets that that may may accrue accrue toto the the Commission. Commission. (3) The Fund (3) The Fund shall shall be be managed managed in in accordance with the accordance with the rules rules made made by by the the Board, Board, andand without prejudice without to the prejudice to the power power to to make make rules rules under under this this subsection, the rules subsection,the rules shall shall inin particular particular contain contain provisions provisions –— (a) specifying (@) specifying the the manner manner in which which the the assets assets or or the the Fund Fund of of the the ‘ommission are Commission to bebe held, are to held, and and regulating regulating the making ofof payments the making payments into and out of the Fund; and into andout of the Fund; and ) Fea 1¢ keeping of proper accounts and records for the purpose (b) requiring the keeping of proper accounts and records for the purpose ofofthe the Fund Fund in in such such form as may form as may be be specified in in the rules. the rules.

16. The Comision shall apply the proceeds of the fund established under section 15 Expenditure ofthe

16. The Commission shall apply the proceeds of the fund established under section 15 Expenditure of the of this Act t. of this Act to – Commission Commission (a) the cost of administration of the Commission; (a) the cost of administration of the Commission; (b) the (b) the payment payment of of salaries, salaries, fees, remuneration, allowances, fees, remuneration, allowances, pension pension andand gratuities payable gratuities payable toto the the members members of ofthe the Board specified inin section Board specified section 22 ofofCommission; this Act this Act oror any anycommittee committeeofof the Board and the employees of the the Board and the employees of the ‘Commission; (©)(c) varlatlons, the payment the for fees all and contracts, including pen fluctuations, payment for all contracts, including mobilization, fluctuations variations, legal legal fees and cost cost of ofcontract contract administration; administration; (@) (d) the the payment payment for for all all purchases; purchases; and and (©)(e) undertaking undertaking such such other other acti activities as are are connected connected with withallall or or any any ofof the the functions functions of ofthe the Commission Commission under under this this A‘Act. 17,(1) The C pt gifts of land, property on such terms Gifts

17. (1) The Commission may accept gifts of land, money or other property on such terms Gifts toto the the and andcontitons, mmission t glconditions, ifif any, any, as as may may be be specified specified byby the the person person orororganisation organisation making Commission making .e (2) The Commission shall not accept any gift ifthe condition attached by the person (2) The Commission shall not accept any gin if the condition attached by the person or organisation making the gift are inconsistent with the functions of the or organlsationmaking the gift are inconsistentwith the functions of the Commission underthis Act. Commission under this Act. 18, The Commission may, with the consent ofthe President, borrow, on such terms and Powerto borrow

18. The Commission may, with the consent of the President, borrow, on such terms and Power to borrow condltions asas the conditions the Commission Commissionmay may determine, determine, such such sums sums of of money money asas the the ‘Commission may require in the performance of its functions under this Act. Commission maY require in the performance of its functions under this Act. 19, (1) The Board shall, not later than submit

19. (1) The Board shall, not later than 30 September in each year submit to the President! Annual estimates an estimate of the expenditure and income of the Commission during the next and tn eatinate of the expenditure and income of the Commission daring the vel expenditure and expenditure succeeding year. succeeding year. (2) The Board shall cause to be kept proper accounts of the Commission in respect (2) The Board shall causeto be kept proper accounts of the Commission in respect of each year and proper records in relation to it and shall cause the accounts to be of each Year andproper records in relation to it and shall causethe accounts to be audited not later than six months after the end of each year by auditors appointed audited not later than six months after the end of each year by auditors appointed from the list and in accordance with the guidelines supplied by the Auditor- hom the list and in accordance with the guidelines supplied by the Auditor- General for the Federation. General for the Federation.

20. The Coaaiic shall, at the end of every quarter in each year, submit quarterly Quarterly report

20. The Commission shall, at the end of every quarter in each year, submit quarterly Quarterlyreport report to the President, a report on the activities and administration of the report to the President, a report on the activities and administration of the Commission Commission.

21. (1) each The Year, Board stall prepare and submit othe President, oot Ine than 30 June in ‘Annual report

21. (1) The Board shall prepare and submit to the President, not later than 30 June in Annual report ach year, a report in sk fn sea ly dt such form as the President may direct on the activities of ties of the Commission during the immediate preceding year, and shall include inthe the Commission during the immediate preceding year, and shall include in report a copy of the audited accounts of the Commission for that report a coPYof the audited accountsof the Commissionfor that year and the year and the auditor’ report on it; auditor's report on it; (2) The President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria shall, upon receipt of the report (2) The President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria shall, upon receipt of the report referred to in subsection (1), cause a copy of the report and the audited accounts referred to in subsection (1), cause a copy of the report and the audited accounts ofof thethe CiCommission andthe auditor's report thereontoto be submitted it to each +h House House ofof the National Assembly. the National Assembly. PART PARTViVI –— MISCELLANEOUS MISCELLANEOUSPROVISIONS PROVISIONS

22.(1) i

22. (1) For the purposes of providing offices andpremises necessary for the performance per Office and of its functions und. of its functions under this Act, the Commission may> subject to the Land Use Act Act, the Commis mi i ‘the Land Use Act premier ofthe premises of the Commission Commission Cap. LS, LEN, Cap. L5, LFN, (@)(a) purchase purchase oror take take on on lease lease any any interest interest inin land, land, oror other other property; property; and and 2004 2004 (b)(b) construct construct offices offices and andpremises premises and andequip equipand andmaintain maintain them, them. (2) (2) The The Commission Commission maymay subject subject to to the the Land LandUseUse Act, Act, sell sell oror lease lease out out any any office office oror premises held premises held by by it, it, which which office office or or premises premises isis nono longer longerrequired requiredfor far the the performance of performance of its its functions functions under under this this Act. Act.

23. Subject to the provision of this Act, the provisions of the Public Officers Protection Public 23• Subject to the provision of this Act, the provisions of the Public OffIcers Protection Public Officer Officer Act shall ‘Act shall apply appIY in in relation relation toto any anysuitsuit instituted instituted against against anyany officer officer or emplo}iee ofof Protection or employee Protection Act Act the Commission. the Commission. Cap. P4l, LEN, Cap. P41, LFN, 2004 2004 24• A notlce> summons or other documents required or authorised to be served on the Service Service of of notice, 24, 4 notes summons or other document required of authorised tobe served on ie summons notice, Commissionunder ‘Commission under thethe provisions provisions ofofthis this Act Act or or any any other otherlaw oror enactm«enactmentp may be summons and and other other served by served delivering itit totothe bY delivering the Managing Managing Director Director oror by sending by sending itit by by reiscred registered post post jocuments documents and addressed to the Managing Director atthe principal and addressed to the Managing Director at principal office of the Commission. office of the Commission. 25' Any

25. AnY sum sum of of money moneY whichwhich isis the the judgment judgment of of any any court court ewarded awarded avis against thethe Restriction Restriction on Commission shall, subject to any direction given given by execution of execution the courtcourt where notice of appeal judgment of the judgment has been given, be paid from the general reserve hnd of the judgment by the of debis debts ie the judgment has been given, be paid from the general reserve fund o the Commission Commission. 26' AA member 26. member of ofthe the Board, Board, the Managing ng Director, Director, anyany other other off officer or employee of the Indemnity ofof the Indemnity Commission shall Commission shall be indemnified out be indemnined out ofof the the assets assets ofof the the Commission Commission against any officers against any officers proceeding, whether civil or criminal, in which judgment is given in his favor, or in proceeding, whether civil or criminal, in which judgment is given in his favor2 or in which he which he isis acquitted, acquitted, ififany any such such proceeding proceeding isis brought brought against against him him inin his his capacity capacity asas a a member of Commission.member of the the Board, the Board, the Managing Director, Managing Director, officer officer or or employeeof employee of the the Commission. 27, In this Act —

27. In this Act – Interpretation Interpretation "Chairman" means the Chairman of the Board; "Chairman" means the Chairman of the Board; "Commission" means the South-South Development Commission established ’'Commission" means the South-South Development Commission established under section 1 of this Act; undersection 1 of this Act; "Board" means the Governing Board established for the Commission "Board" means the Governin, Board establi --’“““'’-'--' under section 2 (1) of this Act; section 2 (1) of this Act; “’"“’' 11 "Managing Managing Director" Director'' means means the thehead head ofofmanagement; management; 11 "member" means a member of the Board and includes the Chairman, Managing Director and Executive gil=::’ Directors; ILe==:Ti:r:Hr::t:hr:.Board and includes the Chairman) Managing "member T.ember States" Sjates" include include Akwa Akwa Ibom, lbom9 Bayelsa, BaYelsa,Cross CrossRiver, River, Delta, Delta, Edo, Edo, and and Rivers; Rivers; and “President” “Presldent” means means the the President President ofofthe theFederal FederalRepublic Republic ofof Nigeria. Nigeria. 28, 28' This This Act maY be Actmay Act, 2025 be cited cited asas the South-South th-South Development Commission (Establislun€ It) Citat Act, 2025 SCHEDULE. SCHEDULE Section Section 33(3) (3) SUPPLEMENTARY SUPPLEMENTARYPROVISIONS PROVISIONSRELATING RELATINGTO TO THE THEBOARD BOARD 1.i. (1) (1) Subject Subject to this this Act Act and and section section 27 27 ofofthe the Interpretation Interpretation Act, Act the the Board Board may may make make standing orders regulating its proceedings or those of any of its committees. standing orders regulating its proceedings or those of any of its committee-s. (2) The (2) The quorum quorum of ofthe the Board Boardshall shall be be the the Chairman Chairmanoror the the person personpresiding presiding atat the the ‘meeting, Managing Director or one Executive Director and one-third of the other meeting! Managing Director or one Executive Director and one-third of the other ‘members of the Board, and the quorum of any committee of the Commission shall members of the Board, andthe quorum of any committee of the Commission shall bebe determined by the Board. determined by the Board. 2.2. (1) (1) The The Board Board shall shall meet meetwhenever wheneveritit isis summoned summonedbyby the the Chairman Chairmanand and ifif the the Chairman is required to do so by notice given to him byby not Chalrman is required to do so by notice given to less than four other not less than four other members, members9he he shall shall summon summon aa meeting meeting ofofthe the Board Board toto be be held held within within 1414days days from from the date on which the notice is given. the date on which the notice is given. (2) (2) At anY meeting At any meeting of of the Board, the the Board, the Chairman Chairman shall shall preside but but ifif he he isis absent, absent, the the ‘members present at the meeting shall appoint one of their members to preside at members presentat the meeting shall appoint one of their members to preside at the meeting. the meeting. 3.3 (1) (1) The The Board Board may maY appoint appoint one or more one or more committees committees to to carry carry out out on on behalf behalf of of the the Board, such Board, such functions functions as the Board may determine. as the Board may determine. (2) AA committee 2) committeeappointed appointed under under this this paragraph paragraph shall shall consist consistof of such such number number ofof persons as persons as may maYbe be determined determined by by the the Board Board and and aa person shall hold person shall office on hold office on the the commlttee in committee accordance with in accordance with the the terms of his terms of his appointment. appointment. (3) A decision of a committee of the Board shall be ofno effect until it is confirmed (3) A decision of a committee of the Board shall be of no effect until it is confirmed the Board. by the Board. 44., (1) (1) The affixing ofof the The affixing the seal of the seal of the Commission Commission shall be authenticated shall be authenticated by the signatures by the signatures ofof the the Chairman Chairmanor or any anY other other member member ofof the the Board Board generally generally oror specifically specifically authorised by the Board to act for the purpose, and the Managing Director. authorised bY the Board to act for the purpose, and the Managing Director. (2) AA document (2) document purporting purporting toto be be aa document document duly duly executed executed under under the the seal seal of of the the ‘Commission shall be received in evidence and shall, unless the contrary is proved, Commission shall be received in evidence and shall, unless the contrary is provedp be presumed to be so executed. be presumed to be so executed.

5. The validity of any proceedings of the Board or of a committee shall not be adversely 5 ' The validitY of anY proceedings of the Board or of a committee shall not be adversely affected byby –— affected (@) a vacancy in the membership of the Board or committee; (a) a vacancy in the membership of the Board or committee; (b)(b)aaordefect defectinin the the appointment appointmentof of aamember memberofofthetheBoard Boardororcommittee; committee; or (©)(c) reason reason that that aa person person not not entitled entitled totodo do sosotook took part partinin the the proceedings proceedings ofof the Board or committee. the Board or committee. - ' - i, CERTIFY, IN ACCORDANCE WITH SECTION 2 (1) OF THE ACTS AUTHENTICATION ACT, CAP. A2, LAWS OF THE FEDERATION OF NIGERIA, 2004, THAT THIS IS A TRUE COPY OF THE BILL PASSED BY BOTH HOUSES OF THE NATIONAL ASSEMBLY. KAMORU OGUNLANA KAMORU OGUNL AN-A Esq. Esq. CLERK TO CLERK TOTHE THE NATIONAL NATIONALASSEMBLY ASSEMBLY 72025 DAY OF :”-... ;:',.-;-20 L _= ___ SCHEDULE TO THE SOUTH-SOUTH yYJ!}Z'’!++–-u/JTPLW DEVELOPMENT COMMISSION (ESTABLISHMENT) BILL, ltP!I!+lU)WEK)UWFV£oMMIss!_W&sTABLBHMENT) BILL92025, 2025 SliORl* 'rl'rLE OF TIIE BILI. LONG TITLE OF TH! IJoNG Ti"ri,E OF' THE BILL SUMMARY SUMMARY OF OFTHECONTENTS THECONTENTS| DATE DATE PASSED A PASSR,1) PASSED I DATE OF THE BILL OF THE BILL BY BY THE THESENATE, SENATE BY THE HOUSE OF f REEPRESENTA'rivES south-souil South-| This Bill establis ties the South-|3rd 3rd December, December, | 3rdDecember, | I An A11 Act Act toto establish the e establish the 3rd December : | Comm Development Development South South . . Development Development |1South South Development Development | 2024 2024 2024 2024 | Commission |Commission Commission chargedcharged withwith thethe|1 Commission Commission charged charged with the is sion wiL--dil i 2025 lishment) Bill, | responsibility responsibility toto receive receive and| and I responsibility responsibility toto receive-receive and (Establishlnent ) Bill, and [manage lllanage funds funds from from —the| the I manage manage funds funds from nom the the | | Federation Federation Account Account allocation allocation |I Federation Federation AccountAccount allocation a1101,..ation | |and and other other sources, sources, donations,| donations, I and and other other sources, donations, sour<,.'es9 donations | grants, aids for the integration, ) grants, aids for qfanjs, aids for the integration, grants, aids for the integration9 the integration, development, resolution of yeveIoplnentpresolution of | development9 development, resolutii’n–– resolution -=of lnhastructural deficit, infrastructural deficit, militancy, militancy, |I infrastructural infrastructural deficit, I deficit communal coT]nunal crisescfises asas well well as|as I militancy, militancy, communal communal crises crises asas tackle tackle ecological, ecological,environmental environmental| well well as as tackle tackle — ecological, ecological9 problems; problems; and and for for related related !| environmental environmental problems. problems. '’-– –-’ matters. nlatters. T certify that this Bill has been carefully compared by me with the decision reached by the National Assembly and found by me to be true and correct decision of the Houses and is in accordance with the provisions of the Acts Authentication Act Cap. A2, Laws of the Federation of Nigeria, 2004. + d/### AS, px I # KAMORU OGUNLANA KAMORU OGUNLANA Esq.Esq. Clerk to the National Assembly Clerk to the National Assembly FthTr :Ill Dt Day J' of =/t D,y of J) $?J;}', .C*9 20 =-. IASSEN’l'. T ASSENT. BO BOLA he ‘D TINUBU,r. GCFR GCFR President ofof the President the Federal Federal Republic Republic ofof Nigeria Nigeria 2 hIIm&l= irl A; av ofot March ov 26