In a renewed effort to deepen grassroots engagement and promote inclusive development across the South-South region, the South-South Development Commission (SSDC) has continued its consultation with communities, this time visiting stakeholders in the Yala Local Government Area of Cross River State.
The visit, led by the Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of the Commission, Usoro Akpabio, brought together government officials, traditional rulers, community leaders, women, youths, and other critical stakeholders to discuss the area’s development priorities and chart a path towards sustainable growth.
The engagement formed part of the Commission’s broader mandate to ensure that development is driven by the real needs of the people. The SSDC emphasised that it is moving away from a “top-down” approach to one that listens directly to communities and designs interventions that reflect their daily realities and long-term aspirations.
For many residents, the meeting was a rare opportunity to directly engage a regional development agency on challenges that have persisted for decades. Stakeholders described communities struggling with poor road networks, irregular electricity supply, lack of potable water, rising youth unemployment, and inadequate healthcare and education facilities.
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“Our people have waited for too long. Every year we hear promises, but what we need now is action that will touch lives directly.”
They noted that these challenges continue to slow economic growth and limit access to markets despite Yala’s strong agricultural potential. Another stakeholder added, “If you fix our roads and power, you have already solved more than half of our problems because Yala is ready to produce and trade.”
Speaking on behalf of the people, the Commissioner for Education, Stephen Odey, welcomed the visit and described it as a timely intervention that shows genuine interest in grassroots development. He urged the Commission to prioritise key infrastructure such as roads, power supply, healthcare, education, and youth empowerment, stressing that targeted investments would transform the local economy.
He said: “Targeted investments in these critical areas will change the story of Yala and unlock its full economic potential. Our people are not asking for too much, only for fair development and inclusion.”
The commissioner expressed confidence that sustained collaboration between the Commission, government institutions, and local communities would bring lasting development to the area.
He added, “The people of Yala are ready and willing to support any genuine intervention that delivers measurable impact and improves livelihoods.”
Responding, the Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of the South-South Development Commission, Usoro Akpabio, reaffirmed the Commission’s commitment to people-centred development.
She explained that the visit was not just to listen but to build a foundation for a long-term partnership with host communities, stating, “We are here to work with you, not above you. Development must be co-owned by the people it is meant to serve.”
She assured stakeholders that all concerns raised would be documented and integrated into the Commission’s regional development plan.
Akpabio further noted, “Every input from this engagement matters. It will guide how we prioritise and deliver interventions across the South-South.”
She also highlighted ongoing collaborations with relevant institutions to strengthen electricity supply, healthcare delivery, education, and infrastructure development across the region, emphasising that these partnerships are designed to ensure sustainability and long-term impact.
The meeting ended on a hopeful note, with both the Commission and community leaders reaffirming their commitment to collaboration. Residents expressed optimism that the engagement would mark the beginning of real transformation in Yala, opening doors to economic growth, improved living standards, and renewed hope for the future.
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