For many people in the North East, the re-appointment of Alhaji Muhammed Alkali as Managing Director/CEO of the North East Development Commission (NEDC) is a welcome development considering the level of achievements that the commission has recorded under his leadership since he assumed office in 2018.
The Alkali administration witnessed the outbreak of COVID-19 soon after it was inaugurated by former President Muhammadu Buhari, posing a severe challenge to the commission. However, it was credit to the helmsman that he rose up to the challenge by providing credible interventions in the North East in conjunction with the Federal Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs and Social Welfare.
With the devastating outcome of the insurgency that ravaged the North East of Nigeria for over a decade, the NEDC under Alkali proved equal to the task of providing succour to the vast population of the region, particularly in the rural communities that were seriously affected in Borno, Adamawa and Yobe states. In addition, the commission has been actively involved in peace building, social cohesion, infrastructural rehabilitation, livelihoods and the restoration of service delivery with the ultimate aim of rebuilding the region’s infrastructure and promoting peacebuilding and social cohesion in places where civil authority was gradually being restored. His NEDC team visited the IDP camps at Muna Garage, Muna Farm and stadium that hosted people from Marte, Abadam, Kukawa, Guzamala, Konduga, Bama, Dikwa, Mafa, Kala Balge, Gamboru Ngala, Gubio, Mobbar and other remote areas with a view to ascertaining firsthand the conditions in the camps.
In the area of infrastructure, the NEDC has initiated several efforts at working with governments of the six North East states to ascertain the needs of the various people in the region to bring about the desired development.
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The Vice President, Senator Kashim Shettima, hosted the NEDC board members on October 5, at the State House, Abuja, where Alkali led his team to present the North East Stabilisation and Development Master Plan in fulfilment of Section 8 (1) (c) of the NEDC Act, which stipulates that the commission shall develop a 10-year plan covering 2020 to 2030 based on the needs assessment of the North East.
At the occasion, the vice president expressed confidence on the Alkali administration to steer the cause of the North East to greater height, while urging the Paul Tarfa-chaired board to focus on investments in legacy projects that include agriculture, education and smart transportation, otherwise known as electric transport vehicles and tricycles. The message from Shettima to the NEDC board was unmistakable: “Unite as a team and do what is right for the people.”
Despite that a shadowy group named North East Pressure Group (NEPG) recently launched an attack on Alkali after he was re-appointed into office, he has refused to be daunted in his resolve to leave an indelible mark in administering the region to sustainable growth and development.
At best, the pressure group can be described as a disruptive influence that the NEDC cannot afford at this time.
Afolabi Gambari is a public affairs commentator
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