In my opinion article which appeared in the Daily Trust of Friday March 22, 2024, titled “Beyond Palliatives, Ramadan feeding” which focused on the banditry-overwhelmed states of the North West and Niger, I called on our distinguished senators from the North West to, as a matter of national importance, sponsor a bill for the establishment of a North West Development Commission.
If I may quote directly from the content of that article “…I wish to also advocate like the North-East Development Commission, for the establishment of similar commission that will be charged with the responsibility of assessing, coordinating, harmonising and reporting on all intervention programmes, and initiatives by the federal government or any of its Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs), states; and other development partners and for the implementation of all programmes and initiatives towards the reconstruction, rehabilitation and resettlement of the affected populations in Kaduna, Sokoto, Katsina, Kebbi, Zamfara and Niger states.
“I therefore, wish to seize this medium to crave for the indulgence of our distinguished senators from these affected states to, as a matter national importance, individually or jointly, sponsor a bill for the establishment of this institutional structure”.
Today, I feel so much elated and full of joy that, even if it is by an act of coincidence, it is a dream come true, as my recommendation came to pass on Thursday, May 16, 2024, when to the glory of the Almighty God, the North West Development Commission (NWDC) bill to address the challenges facing the seven states in the North West geopolitical zone was passed by the Senate following the consideration and adoption of the report of the Committee on Special Duties on the NWDC (Establishment).
The bill to establish the commission was sponsored by the Deputy President of the Senate, Senator Barau I. Jibrin and 20 other senators from the seven states in the North West geopolitical zone.
According to the Chairman of the committee on Special Duties on the NWDC, Sen. Shehu Lawan Kaka (APC, Borno Central), the intent and purpose of the bill are well structured and strategically streamlined for the socio-economic development of the North West geopolitical zone of the country, adding that the commission’s establishment would bring the federal government closer to the states in the zone and meet the yearnings and aspirations of the people.
There is no doubt that the North West has been hit by an unprecedented wave of kidnappings, maiming, killings, population displacements, cattle rustling and disruption of socio-economic activities due to the rise of armed banditry in the region. The persistent banditry in Nigeria’s North West region has undermined the nation’s economic activities and social development and challenged the government’s primary constitutional responsibility of securing lives and property.
The banditry has forced many people to flee their homes, abandoning businesses and livelihoods. The economic displacement of individuals and communities has created a ripple effect, affecting local markets, small businesses, and overall economic productivity. Thousands have been displaced and hundreds of villages have been razed and deserted in continuing bandits’ activities in North-West Nigeria. Many villagers displaced have been forced into Niger Republic, where cross-border raids and attacks continue.
The establishment of the North West Development Commission is therefore, timely and commendable as one of its core mandates will be in the area of rehabilitation, reconstruction and resettlement of IDPs in order to provide critical lifesaving and sustaining support to those banditry affected populations in their respective states. This commission, when it fully comes into being, is expected to address the infrastructural deficit in shelter, water and sanitation, education and health in the banditry ravaged states of the region which will go a long way in ameliorating poverty and improving the living standard of the vulnerable population of these banditry-afflicted North-Western states of Nigeria.
Finally, as we the people of the North West welcome this lofty initiative and congratulate our distinguished senators for this wonderful accomplishment, it is our ardent prayer that, the bill will be given expeditious transmission to Mr. President, hoping that, His Excellency, Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR, the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria will also timely give assent to the bill for the immediate take-off of the commission.
Nasiru Yahaya Isa (Wamban Isa), a retired Permanent Secretary writes from Sokoto and can be reached @ [email protected]
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