NEDC unveils development plan for North East

The North East Development Commission (NEDC) has developed a North-East Stabilization and Development Master Plan (NESDMP) as a new model to develop the infrastructure and people in the region.

The Managing Director of the commission, Mohammad Alkali, disclosed in Abuja Wednesday this during a Humanitarian, Development, and Peacebuilding stakeholders’ engagement forum.

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He described the master plan as an all-inclusive roadmap for peace, reconciliation, rehabilitation, reconstruction, and resettlement.

He said the plan also encompassed redevelopment and sustainable growth of the region, and would focus on alleviating poverty and promoting prosperity using transformative projects and programmes.

“The Act establishing the NEDC provides the need to have a master plan in terms of humanitarian development and peace building. The NESDMP plan is a comprehensive plan that will cover all human endeavours as it affects the North-east. The NEDC Act clearly outlines the process in two-part: Baseline Studies (establishing the extent of damage and needs assessment) and the Masterplan (produces schemes and programmes with cost and timeline),” Alkali said.

The lead consultant of the master plan, Dr Kassim Gidado, said the NESDMP 2030 was aimed at achieving a thriving and peaceful region.

The head humanitarian team, Foreign, Commonwealth, and Development Office, UK, Alexandra Maclean, said the continuing crisis in North-east Nigeria remained a significant priority for the UK and that after over 12 years of conflict in the region, the value of the NESDMP could not be overemphasised.

Chairman, master plan’s committee, Prof. Bobboi Umaru, said: “We cannot wait until ‘total’ peace is achieved. Each area will be addressed by the plan looking at the prevailing situation. That means you have to have risk analysis on where to cite projects.”