The National Assembly is moving to establish a second River Basin Development Authority for Nigeria’s Southeast region, with Ebonyi State poised to host its headquarters.
The initiative is aimed at addressing decades of infrastructural and agricultural marginalization in the zone.
Pastor Eze Nwachukwu Eze, the member representing Ebonyi/Ohaukwu Federal Constituency in the House of Representatives, disclosed this development during the grand finale of his two-year stewardship and constituency project commissioning at Ngbo Central School in Ohaukwu Local Government Area.
The event was attended by political leaders, stakeholders, and his constituents including the Ebonyi first lady, Chief Mrs Mary-Maudline Uzoamaka Nwifuru who commissioned his completed projects.
Eze observed that since the establishment of River Basin Authorities in the early 1970s, the Southeast has remained the only geopolitical zone with just one authority—the Anambra-Imo River Basin Authority while other regions have two or more.
“We have been marginalized for too long. I currently have a bill before the National Assembly to correct this historical imbalance.
"The bill seeks the creation of the Ebonyi–Enugu River Basin Authority, to be headquartered in Ebonyi State. When established, it will generate jobs, improve irrigation-based farming, and address our persistent water challenges," he said.
Eze noted that a public hearing on the bill would be convened soon and urged the state governor to participate, emphasizing the need to make the case for presidential assent.
Beyond water and agriculture, the lawmaker highlighted his commitment to education and youth empowerment.
Under his full scholarship program, 64 students have matriculated with all tuition and fees fully paid.
He also announced that the newly commissioned National Teachers’ Institute (NTI) Study Center in Ngbo had been upgraded to a degree-awarding institution, providing greater access to tertiary education for local residents.
Eze further revealed he has sponsored a bill to establish the Federal University of Environment in Ohaukwu Local Government Area, citing the need for another institution in the zone alongside the existing one in Bayelsa State.
The legislator also outlined a range of constituency projects, including free health screenings, distribution of essential drugs, construction of boreholes for clean water, agricultural support through hand tractors, and empowerment of local traders with tricycles.
He commended the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) for supporting local food relief efforts.
Highlighting his approach to participatory governance, Eze said he has made copies of the federal budget available to local leaders and stakeholders for input on constituency priorities for two consecutive years.
He also shared details of a “controversial but necessary” motion he sponsored to create additional state constituencies in Ohaukwu Local Government Area, reflecting the area’s growing population.
The motion has already been forwarded to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) for verification.
Eze expressed gratitude to his constituents, pledging transparency and continued engagement in service delivery.
He promised to return next year for his third-year performance report and called on citizens to provide constructive feedback on his stewardship.
“This is democracy. I am your representative and your servant. I cannot do it alone,” he said.
