The North East Development Commission (NEDC) says it will soon unveil the master plan for the development of the zone.
NEDC Managing Director Mohammed Alkali stated this on Sunday in Maiduguri after receiving the six governors of the zone at the headquarters of the commission.
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Responding to the communique the Northeast Governors’ Forum issued after its meeting on Saturday, which tasked the NEDC to come up with a master plan for the zone, Alkali said: “Yes, we’ll soon come up with a master plan for the northeast. It’s going to happen very soon. I mean very soon.”
He sought more support from the governors, “especially political” for the commission to be able to do its work in the zone.
He said the commission was much more ready for consultation, synergy and team work in the northeast, assuring that “this region shall rise again God’s willing.”
“To us in this commission, today is a special day because since our inauguration, we’ve operated in Abuja and Maiduguri. This week, we’ve decided that all management staff should move here. Coincidentally, this week, all the governors in the region are having a meeting in Maiduguri.
“Now, we’re firmly here in Maiduguri, we’re deeply touched, but grateful. It’s a rare occasion for all these governors to be in one place and come to visit a place like this. As of today, all our offices are fully operational and we’ve already started our work here.”
Alkali informed the governors about the N6bn Education Endowment Fund (NEDC-EEF) launched in Abuja on Friday to confront challenges facing the northeast as a result of Boko Haram activities.
“As per mandate we have plans that’ll transit between the humanitarian development, the development of peace and stability. So, it’s a very competitive thing we’re going to do which should cover all aspects of life: humanitarian, including development, livelihood development and so on and so forth. So, it’s a very big basket for everybody and at the end of the day, everybody will be satisfied with what we’re doing.” Alkali said.
The chairman of the Northeast Governors’ Forum and Borno State Governor Babagana Zulum pledged the forum’s support to the NEDC.
He, however, charged the commission to focus on economic recovery and stabilization of the zone, saying “The citizens of this region are expected to get the maximum benefit of this commission. Be rest assured that the Northeast Governors’ Forum will provide the necessary support you need with a view to carrying out your activities.”
Meanwhile, in Abuja yesterday, some internally displaced persons from the northeast, federal lawmakers and stakeholders commended the Board of Trustees, the management and staff of the NEDC for setting aside N6bn Education Endowment Fund for about 20,000 indigenes of the region.
Chairman, Senate Committee on Special Duties oversighting the NEDC, Senator Abubakar Yusuf, expressed confidence in the nine-man committee newly inaugurated to supervise the utilization of the Fund.
Also, Hon. Ahmed Jaha, representing Damboa/Gwoza/Chibok Federal Constituency. said:
“You can kill a terrorist with a gun, but you can only succeed in killing terrorism with education. So, what the North East Development Commission has done, to me, is the best thing they can do now so that people can go back to school, acquire knowledge, thereby defying the call for Boko Haram insurgents that western education is prohibited”.
An IDP and widow, Auwal Bello, expressed optimism that the Fund would benefit her children who had abandoned education since 2016 due to lack of fund.
Another IDP, Maryam Haruna, implored the NEDC boss to thoroughly monitor the Fund to achieve its target.
