Appraising NEDC’s role in strengthening resilience in North-East
Appraising NEDC’s role in strengthening resilience in North-East
By Yakubu Uba, News Agency of Nigeria (NAN)
For over a decade, the North-East region has been ravaged by insurgency which is affecting all sectors of livelihood.
Available data indicates that the North-East, which comprises Borno, Adamawa, Yobe, Taraba, Gombe and Bauchi States, constitutes 30 per cent of Nigeria’s land mass.
Economic experts are of the view that the region, with its massive expanse of arable land, has an immense potential which should be properly harnessed.
In a vital move to address the serious socio-economic challenges facing people in the already fragile region, the Federal Government, in 2017, established the North East Development Commission (NEDC) as a statutory body responsible for the accelerated rehabilitation of the region.
The commission, which is now a household name in the region, has been implementing its projects and programmes based on a master plan known as the North East Stabilisation and Development Plan (NESDMP).
The Managing Director of NEDC, Engr. Goni Alkali, said the master plan, which was developed with contributions from all stakeholders, identified the needs of the region through a baseline study.
He said the plan spelt out strategies, policies as well as immediate and long-term interventions for the recovery, stabilisation and development of the region.
Alkali said NEDC faced challenges of continuous sporadic attacks by insurgents and the COVID-19 pandemic that slowed its interventions.
He said that in spite of the obstacles, the commission was able to execute more than 600 projects in the zones in thematic sectors.
Alkali listed the thematic sectors as security and peace building, human capital development, economic development, infrastructure and environment.
The managing director said the commission built no fewer than 1000 houses to facilitate the resettlement programmes of the federal and state governments.
Alkali said that the housing project in Gwom village, which was burnt down by the insurgents, would be replicated in other affected states.
“Each block sits on 400 square metres with perimeter fence and ample space for other home activities; items provided in the estate include solar-powered street lights, four industrial solar-powered boreholes, more than 3,000 economic trees as well as provision for school, market, police station and motor park.
“To enhance security for smooth implementation of its interventions, the commission also provided patrol vehicles to the military operating in the zone in line with recommendations from a North-East security summit
“Without lasting security, peace and stability, the commission cannot perform its short and long term statutory functions.”
Alkali provided further insights on the achievements of the commission.
He said that the commission also unveiled a multi-pronged initiative aimed at tackling the region’s mounting waste problem while simultaneously stimulating the local economy.
The managing director said programme focused on training individuals in sustainable waste management practices and providing them with the tools and skills to create marketable products from recycled materials.
He said the programme distributed starter kits comprising briquettes making machines, as well as local stove making tools to no fewer than 20 newly trained individuals equipped to produce charcoal and aluminum stoves using locally sourced and recycled materials.
Alkali said the initiative was part of a broader NEDC effort to promote local industry and self-sufficiency within the region.
“We are actively engaging local people to contribute to this initiative.
“We have implemented integration efforts to utilise local talent for operating the machinery involved; this local involvement is beneficial for everyone connected to the project,” Alkali said.
The commission is also adapting to realities on ground regarding high cost of transportation, as it recently announced plans to introduce e-mobility for commercial purposes in all six states of the northeast zone.
The initiative is to reduce hardship and costs associated with commercial vehicles across the country based on the removal of fuel subsidies.
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The e-mobility project will provide tricycles, taxis and buses for intra and inter-state services, reducing reliance on gas and petrol.
The project will be implemented in phases, based on individual state needs and will include training and maintenance schedules for staff, road unions and beneficiaries.
According to the commission, the e-mobility vehicles will be provided on loan, with flexible terms and conditions determined by a joint committee.
Interestingly, the commission also helped in supporting farmers in boosting food production in the region.
Recently, Vice-President Kashim Shettima, distributed agricultural inputs and equipment to farmers in the six states of the region.
Items distributed included rice transplanter, ridger, rice thresher, rotary tiller, iron bull tractor, disc plough, mini rice mill, among others.
Shettima lauded the commission for embarking on people oriented projects in line with the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Bola Tinubu’s administration.
“The NEDC is a critical engine driving the development of the North-East; in the face of adversity, it has demonstrated resilience, vision and an unyielding dedication to its mission,” he said.
Another critical intervention by the commission is the partnership with other organisations in providing training and employment opportunities for youths in the zone.
One such gesture is the partnership with the Yola Electricity Distribution Company (YEDC) and Mainstream Energy Company where no fewer than 60 youths were trained as electrical technicians and given automatic employment by YEDC.
The commission also intervenes in environmental protection and Water, Sanitation and Hygiene (WASH) in the region.
One of its latest interventions in protecting the environment is the evacuation of 1 million metres of drainage system and fumigation across the six states of the region to mitigate flood and contain outbreaks.
Musa Ibrahim, a beneficiary, said many of them were employed to participate in desilting and fumigation exercises.
‘’It was a big employment opportunity for many youths across the states to get empowered,” Ibrahim said.
More so, the NEDC has also implemented extensive training programmes where no fewer than 300 individuals have received training in waste management, with an additional 60 participants specialising in renewable energy and recycling system installation.
Dr Zainab Chellube, the project coordinator in Borno, highlighted the urgency of the situation pointing out that more than 451 tonness of plastic waste are brought into the region weekly, with 105 kilogrammes generated every Monday alone.
“Much of this waste is disposed of indiscriminately, posing a significant environmental challenge.
“Our goal is to equip those in the waste management business by linking practical and theoretical approaches, enabling them to operate in a controlled manner while generating sustainable income,” Chellube said.
Mohammed Adam, one of the beneficiaries, expressed his gratitude for the opportunity to learn stove fabrication skills.
“I used to be a vendor at a small mobile phone shop; but now I can own my own business where I can produce products rather than retailing for others,” he said.
Aisha Wakil, who received training in charcoal production using agricultural waste like rice and maize chaff, was also grateful.
“It took us about five days to learn this trade skill, and thank God, I now have the knowledge to produce charcoal and even train others,” she said.
Giving testimony during one of NEDC’s interventions in building resilience, the Gov. Inuwa Yahaya of Gombe, urged the commission to stick to its laudable master plan.
Yahaya spoke on behalf of other governors in the zone.
“If the commission can deliver 75 per cent of its plan for the zone, it would cover everything in the zone,” Yahaya said.
Policy analysts say the NEDC has creditably acquitted itself so far.
They say the success story of NEDC prompted the Federal Government, in collaboration with the National Assembly, to create additional development commissions for North-West, North-Central, South-East and South-West zones.
