The Northeast region has struggled through nearly 12 years of conflict and instability due to the violence of non-state armed groups such as Boko Haram. About 8.4 million people need humanitarian assistance, of which about 80 per cent are women and children. The horrid situation led to the establishment of the Northeast Development Commission (NEDC) in 2017. The Commission is saddled with the responsibility of tackling the menace of poverty, illiteracy, ecological problems and any other related environmental or developmental challenges in the Northeast states. At the weekend, the Vice-President, Kashim Shettima flagged off a N15 billion palliative programme for the region. DUKU JOEL reports.
One agency that will be critical in realising the Renewed Hope Agenda of the Bola Ahmed Tinubu Administration, especially in the North is the Northeast Development Commission (NEDC).
Established in 2017, the NEDC is saddled with “receiving and managing funds from the Federal Account and international donors for the settlement, rehabilitation and reconstruction of roads, houses and business premises of victims of insurgency.”
The Commission also is saddled with the responsibility of tackling the menace of poverty, illiteracy, ecological problems and any other related environmental or developmental challenges in the Northeast states.
The Establishment Act further mandates the NEDC to “coordinate the resettlement, rehabilitation, integration and reconstruction of infrastructure for victims of terrorism as well as tackling the menace of poverty, illiteracy, ecological challenges in the Northeastern states and other related matters.”
Led by the Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer, Mr Mohammed Goni Alkali, the Commission has carried out its mandate, which cuts across all the thematic areas.
But there is still more to be done in bridging the infrastructure gaps, reducing poverty and improving the literacy level.
There are indications that the NEDC will address the issues. When the COVID-19 pandemic hit the globe, the commission rose to the challenge.
It intervened in the health sector by upgrading infrastructure across hospitals in the Northeast region. It also distributed safety kits, food and non-food items to residents of the areas.
The NEDC has also been addressing flood-related challenges and ameliorating the plight of the citizens.
The Commission has, at the weekend, launched an ambitious N15 billion palliative programme for the region.
The event was attended by the former Borno State Governor who is now the Vice-President, Kashim Shettima. Borno was then a state worse hit by Boko Haram insurgents.
The V-P was glad that the Commission has so far delivered on its mandate to the people of the region, just as he urged it to carry out more road projects.
He performed the groundbreaking ceremony for the construction of about 22.5km of the Jere Bowl Road network.
It cuts across many farming communities of Mafa and Jere local government areas of Borno State.
He expressed his pleasure with the extent and quality of work carried out by the commission, stressing that the road network, when completed, will revive the state’s economic potential.
Similar projects were carried out by the commission across some states in the region during the past administration.
They include the construction of 32km Garkida-Dabna Road worth N6.3 billion in Adamawa State; 22.5km network of roads worth N13.553 billion Jere and Mafa councils in Borno State; 53km Gombe-Abba-Kirfi Road in Bauchi State at the cost of N11.697 billion and the 54km Mutai-Ngalda Road in Yobe at the cost of N12.99 billion.
Shettima also flagged off the distribution of N15 billion palliatives of foods and non-food items donated by the NEDC to the six states of the Northeast at the Government House in Maiduguri.
The Commission recalled the carnage Boko Haram has carried out in the region in the past 10 years.
It said: “Ten years ago, most parts of Borno, Adamawa and Yobe states were under the control of Boko Haram terrorists.”
The V-P lamented that $6.8 billion (N312.8 billion) worth of property was destroyed in the over-a-decade insurgency in Borno State alone.
V-P’s agenda for NEDC
Shettima underscored the strategic importance of the Jalingo-Yola Road, highlighting that it serves as a vital link between Jalingo and Yola and the Northeast and Southeast.
He urged NEDC Chairman, General Paul Tarfa (rtd) to ensure repairs on this critical route are expedited.
He also stressed the need to rehabilitate the Gombe-Bauchi, Maiduguri-Damboa and Gujiba-Biu roads, which are equally essential for the well-being of the populace.
Shettima said: “The NEDC should take over the construction of all major roads in the region, whether they are trunk “A” federal roads or not.
“This is very important because, it is the people of the region who are using these roads, whether they are Federal Government roads or not.
“The NEDC has to construct them and then work out a plan for a refund. It’s the people of the region that are benefitting from such roads.”
Shettima added: “The deplorable Gombe-Bauchi, Maiduguri-Damboa, and Biu-Gombi federal roads are to be undertaken by the NEDC this year.”
The Vice-President commended the Managing Director of the NEDC, Mohammed Alkali for prudently managing the commission’s finances, leaving a substantial N237 billion in its coffers after his first term.
He emphasised the need for accountability, urging the NEDC to hold contractors accountable for incomplete projects and recover misappropriated funds.
‘Road network will drive development’
General Tarfa explained that most inhabitants are peasant farmers and entrepreneurs, hence the need for motorable roads for easy transportation of goods and services.
At the inauguration of the project that cuts across Ngowom- Koshobe -Zabarmari -Gongulong- Kaddamari and other agrarian communities, Alkali said the first phase of the 22.5km Jere Bowl Road Network, if completed, would improve mobility, connect other communities, enhance livelihood and improve security and agricultural productivity.
“The new road is expected to stimulate economic activities, enhance security, and facilitate the free movement of goods and people in the popularly known Jere-Bowl of the state.
“It can also enhance social interactions, promote tourism and improve overall quality of life for the residents,” Alkali said.
How the palliatives were distributed
On how the palliatives would be distributed, Alkali said: “We thank Almighty Allah for allowing us to gather here today to flag off the distribution of food and non-food items by the Commission to our citizens in all the 112 council areas within the Northeast through the governors of member states, and national and state assembly legislators.
“This is a direct response by the Commission to alleviate the hunger and food insecurity being faced by citizens.
“The present economic situation has led to soaring prices of food items and heightened food insecurity nationwide.
“To key into Mr President’s initiative to improve food supply, the Commission is now poised to provide assorted food and non-food items to bring some succour to the people.
“We will donate the following food and non-food items, which cost about N15 billion, through the Vice-President, to all the governors of the six-member states, the 18 senatorial districts, 48 federal constituencies as well as the six state houses of assembly constituencies for distribution to deserving beneficiaries across all the states in the region.
“The items are 250,000 25kg bags of rice, 81,000 cartons of spaghetti/macaroni, 40,000 gallons of vegetable oil and 80,000 pieces of blankets.
“Others include 80,000 mats, 40,000 shadda (men’s wear), 40,000 wrappers for women folk as well as 80,000 children’s wear.
“Out of the 250,000 bags of rice available (worth about N10 billion), 65,000 bags will be shared to the six state governments for state-wide distribution, 36,000 bags to the 18 senatorial districts, 72,000 bags to the 48 federal constituencies and 30,000 bags to state assembly constituencies in the Northeast.
“Similar road projects are ongoing elsewhere in the region such as the 32km Dabna-Garkida Road in Adamawa State, 53km Kirfi-Gombe Abba Road in Bauchi and Gombe states and 54km Mutai-Ngalda Road in Yobe State, among others.”
Highlighting other projects by the commission, the NEDC MD said: “There are also numerous other projects of the Commission in other sectors such as mass housing, mega schools and hospitals, and others.
“These infrastructural projects are the strides the Commission has been taking towards the development of the region as captured in the 11 Pillars of Northeast Master Plan.
This comprehensive distribution plan was aimed at ensuring a wider reach to the vulnerable population and promoting inclusiveness.
Many state governments have already established their committees to facilitate the distribution of these much-needed palliatives.
The NEDC’s commitment to addressing food insecurity and supporting the citizens of the Northeast reflects the government’s efforts to alleviate the economic hardships faced by the residents.
QUOTE
The Commission is poised to provide assorted food and non-food items to bring some succour to the people. At the moment, we will donate the following food and non-food items, which cost about N15 billion, through the Vice-President, to all the governors of the six-member states, the 18 senatorial districts, 48 federal constituencies as well as the six state houses of assembly constituencies for distribution to deserving beneficiaries across all the states
