Politics
THE recently established North Central Development Commission (NCDC) will fast-track development in a region ravaged by insurgency and banditry, an expert, Dr Mark Nyitse, says.
Nyitse, the Director of Research and Publication, Benue Public Service Institute, Makurdi, said this in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Friday in Makurdi.
He, therefore, lauded President Bola Tinubu for speedily assenting to the bill to establish the commission.
The director said that the North Central was far behind other regions in terms of development but expressed optimism that with a commission, it would catch up.
He said that the birth of the NCDC was long overdue, given the existence of similar bodies in the other five regions of the country.
According to him, the mandate of the NCDC is unambiguous and focused on restoring hope, as well as accelerating even development.
“The mandate of NCDC includes receiving and managing funds from the federation account and international donors for the settlement, rehabilitation and reconstruction of the region’s infrastructure (roads, houses and business premises of victims of insurgency).
“It is also saddled with the responsibility of tackling poverty, illiteracy, ecological problems, and any other related environmental or developmental challenges in the geopolitical zone.
“The region is bedevilled with ethnic, communal, and religious crises, as well as farmer/herder clashes that have resulted in loss of lives and destruction of properties.
“The NCDC represents hope for the traumatised people of the region and their communities that suffered immeasurable destruction and severe losses,” he stated.
The research expert also commended Tinubu over what he described as his tireless efforts to develop all sectors and regions of the country.
He appealed to the president to ensure that quality personnel were assembled for the commission to achieve its mandate.
According to him, the smooth takeoff and operationalisation of the commission will fulfil Tinubu’s vision for the region.
Nyitse told NAN that the Benue Public Service Institute was working on organising a conference for major stakeholders in the region to develop a roadmap for the commission.
“The conference is purposely designed to guide the takeoff and operationalisation of the commission.
“The benefits will include the creation of awareness, stakeholder engagement, and knowledge sharing, among others.
“The governors of the region need to join hands with the Benue State governor, Hyacinth Alia, who has already expressed his readiness for the unity and development of the region due to its strategic position in Nigeria.
“Alia believes that a united North Central would be beneficial to all the states in the region and Nigeria in general,” Nyitse said. (NAN)
A.I
Feb. 21, 2025
Tags: Dr Mark Nyitse NSCDC
