October 26, 2017

Residents of the North East geo-political zone on Thursday said their prayers had been answered following President Muhammadu Buhari’s assent to the bill on the North East Development Commission (NEDC).

They told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) that the development was a ‘dream come true’, adding that they would forever remain grateful to the president and members of the National Assembly.

The North East Development Commission (Establishment) Bill, 2017 mandates the commission to receive and manage funds allocated by the Federal Government and international donor agencies for the resettlement, rehabilitation, integration and reconstruction of roads, houses and business premises of victims of insurgency.

Chairman of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) in Borno, Mr Titus Abana, told NAN that the development demonstrated the president’s concern over the plight of the people of the North-East.

Abana described the establishment of the commission as a positive step in addressing the social and economic challenges caused by the Boko Haram insurgency in the region.

“The president has the welfare of the people at heart; we hope that the commission starts operation soonest, and also addresses the humanitarian crisis on ground,” he said.

Alhaji Bulama Abiso, Chairman, Borno chapter of the Nigerian Union of Teachers (NUT), called on the commission to give priority to the education sector.

According to him, the sector is worst affected by insurgency in view of the large scale destruction of structures and the murder of teachers.

Mrs Yagana Alkali, a women activist, called for gender sensitivity by the commission in the discharge of its duties.

“Women and children are worst hit by the Boko Haram insurgency, as such the commission should come up with sound programmes to assist them,” she added.

Malam Musatpha Bukar, an internally displaced person, expressed joy over the development, adding that the establishment of the commission would go a long way in addressing their problems.

In Adamawa, Gov. Bindow Jubrilla described the assenting to the bill on NEDC as a welcome development that would facilitate the recovery of the North East from the wounds inflicted on it by insurgents.

In a statement issued on his behalf by the State Commissioner of Information and Strategy, Malam Ahmad Sajoh, the governor thanked President Muhammadu Buhari for, once again, coming to the rescue of the people.

“His (Buhari’s) commitment has resulted in the return to normalcy and increased socio-economic activities in the North-East,” he said.

He also commended members of the National Assembly for their contributions which saw to the passage of the bill into law by the President.

He appealed to the lawmakers to be ‘generous’ in allocating funds to the commission to enable it discharge the heavy task of rebuilding the sub-region.

Also speaking, Alhaji Musa Ahmed, chairman of Mubi North Local Government Council whose area was affected by insurgency, and Malam Abdullahi Damare, chairman of Interfaith Mediation Centre, Yola, lauded the Federal Government over the development

They urged those to handle the commission, to ensure justice and fairness to all affected states so as to fast-track development.

Chairman of Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) in Gombe State, Mr. Haruna Kamara, described the development as the best thing that had ever happened to the North-East.

He said the commission would assist in providing the needed infrastructures and create job opportunities.

Also, the government of Taraba said it was elated by the president’s assenting to the bill on the commission.

“The signing of the NE Development Commission by President Buhari is timely and a welcome development; it shows how sensitive the leadership is to the plight of Nigerians.

“By seeing through the passage of the bill, members of the National Assembly have also proved that they are true representatives of their people,” said Alhaji Hassan Mijinyawa, Chief Press Secretary to Gov. Darius Ishaku

He said with the signing of the bill, Taraba, which had been grappling with thousands of persons displaced by insurgency, would have some sigh of relief.

In his contribution, A development worker in Taraba, Abdulfatah Katugwa, cautioned that strict monitoring of the activities of the commission was necessary to ensure that the huge funds made available to it, were properly managed.