Dogara canvass support for North East Development Commission

Speaker of the House of Representatives, Mr Yakubu Dogara, has canvassed support for the establishment of the proposed North East Development Commission (NEDC) Bill.

Speaking when a delegation from states in the North East, led by Governor Kashim Shettima of Borno State, paid members of the National Assembly a thank you visit, he remarked that mechanisms will be put in place to ensure that NEDC is not mismanaged.

Dogara also promised that when established, the commission will be carefully monitored for it to fulfill its purpose of restoration, rehabilitation and development of the region.

The speaker assured that the NEDC will provide a legal framework with which donor agencies and other interested parties can confidently assist in the development of the region, knowing that they can take legal action against the commission if any law or agreement is breached.

While declaring that “the ruins of the North East will turn to glory,” Dogara added that the commission will go a long way in improving the lives of Nigerians in that region and create jobs for the teeming unemployed youths in the region, thereby reducing the likelihood of insurgency among them.

“We know what we felt and we know what we can do if this agency is established,” he added.

The speaker expressed confidence that the bill will get the assent of President Muhammadu Buhari and urged the leaders, elders and other stakeholders to continue to advocate for the establishment of the commission.