A concerned son of Boki Local Government Area of Cross River State, Mr. Tah Daniel, has appealed to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to urgently activate and adequately fund the South-South Development Commission (SSDC) to enable it deliver on its mandate across the region.
In an open letter addressed to the President on June 5, 2026, Daniel expressed disappointment over what he described as the slow operationalisation of the commission despite the appointment of Ambassador Soni Abang, a prominent son of Boki, into the agency.
According to him, Abang's appointment was widely celebrated across Cross River State and beyond, as many viewed it as a sign that the Federal Government was committed to addressing the developmental challenges facing the South-South region.
He noted that the excitement generated by the appointment has gradually given way to frustration due to the commission's inability to commence visible projects and interventions capable of impacting local communities.
Daniel argued that the situation was not a reflection of Abang's competence, describing the former Boki Local Government Chairman as a tested administrator whose legacy projects remain visible years after leaving office.
He cited a Primary Health Centre built during Abang's tenure in Boki, which he said continues to serve residents as evidence of the ambassador's commitment to development and service delivery.
The concerned stakeholder maintained that appointments alone were insufficient without the necessary authority, funding, and institutional support required to drive meaningful development.
He therefore called on President Tinubu to fully activate the South-South Development Commission by releasing operational funds, strengthening its structures, and enabling it to embark on projects that would benefit communities across the region.
Daniel said such interventions should include youth empowerment programmes, support for women and farmers, infrastructure development, and other initiatives capable of improving livelihoods.
He warned that continued delays in making the commission fully functional could fuel public disappointment among communities that had embraced the administration's Renewed Hope agenda.
While reaffirming the loyalty of Boki people and other stakeholders in Cross River State, Daniel urged the President to ensure that the commission becomes a vehicle for tangible development rather than a symbol of unfulfilled expectations.
He stressed that there was still an opportunity for the Federal Government to restore confidence by empowering the commission to begin delivering visible results across the South-South region.
The appeal comes amid growing calls from stakeholders for the accelerated implementation of development programmes intended to address infrastructure deficits and economic challenges in the Niger Delta and other South-South communities.
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