NANS gives Buhari 90 days to rejig NEDC leadership

The National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS), North East chapter, has given President Muhammadu Buhari 90 days to review the leadership of the North East Development Commission (NEDC) as well as board membership.

Failure to heed its call, the association vowed to embark on peaceful protests in the region, until its request is granted.

In a communiqué made available to The Guardian, yesterday, after a stakeholders’ meeting, which took place in Jalingo, Taraba State, the NANS leaders also called on the President to revisit the Mambilla Hydropower Project in Sardauna Local Council of the state.

Citing the infrastructural decay in the region despite huge funds pumped into NEDC by the Federal Government, the students said the commission had not been able to utilise the funds for the benefit of the people.

Signed by the Chairman, Udi Pasore; and Secretary, Mohammed Sani, the North East NANS said: “We demand the Federal Government’s urgent review of the leadership and board of NEDC that was established to champion the cause of rebuilding the North East region.”

Piqued that the aims of setting up the commission are on the verge of been frustrated, the students urged the President to review both the leadership and the board members of the commission.

The communiqué reads: “We have noted that despite the billions of naira released to the commission by the Federal Government, aside from foreign donations and interventions, the commission has nothing to show since inception.”

Also, not comfortable with the commission’s way of issuing contracts, allegedly without due processes, they called the President to wade in and save the commission from collapse.

“The manner at which contracts are awarded and how employments are being skewed within family and friends left many questions on the credibility of the leadership of the commission to meet the needs of the people of North East upon which it was formed.

“The forum is giving the Federal Government 90 days to review the leadership and boards of the commission,” NANS stated, vowing to hit the streets in peaceful protest.