‘We want projects with lasting benefits’, Zulum tell North East commission
Borno State Governor Babagana Umara Zulum has called on the North East Development Commission (NEDC) to prioritise tangible projects that can provide lasting benefits and boost infrastructural development across the six states in the northeast region.
The Governor was speaking on Tuesday at the Government House when he received the expanded management and board of the NEDC led by the State Minister of Regional Development, Uba Maigari Ahmodu.
Governor Zulum listed security, Inland Dry Ports, Free Trade Zone, independent electricity supply, and road networks as some of the key priorities for the northeast.
Zulum noted, “I think the time has come for us to prioritise our projects. We have gone into more than 50% of the lifespan of the NEDC.
“I am not saying that NEDC will collapse. What I mean by lifespan is the funding window allocated to the commission according to the act that established it.
“So, let’s come up with what we can do to get maximum benefit from establishing the commission.
“Other commissions have come on board; we cannot afford to perform below them. This time around, we must have a yardstick. Otherwise, not only the minister, the chairman of the House committee, or the MD, but all of you are from the northeast; a time will come when we will call you out that there is nothing tangible to show within your tenure.”
Zulum, however, assured the minister and the NEDC management of the governors’ commitment within the Northeast to support the commission in achieving its mandate.
The Governor also commended the commission for supporting the state with humanitarian aid, school projects, and other programmes that positively affected the lives of the people of Borno.
Speaking earlier, the State Minister of Regional Development, Uba Maigari Ahmodu, stressed the need for close collaboration with the North East Governors Forum to achieve the broader North East Stabilisation and Development Plan.
The minister assured that the Ministry of Regional Development will ensure adequate supervision of NEDC to achieve the mandate of rebuilding and stabilising the northeast region after years of insurgency and economic disruption.
The delegation included the Chairman, House Committee on NEDC, Usman Zannah, other committee members; NEDC Chairman, Major General Paul Tarfa (Rtd); and Managing Director of the commission, Mohammed Goni Alkali, among others.
