NEDC begins development plan for North East

The North East Development Commission (NEDC) has taken its consultative meeting on the stabilisation and development master plan to Bauchi State, after the region lost about $6.9 billion to Boko Haram terrorism, says Borno State Governor, Babagana Zulum, who chairs North East Governors’ Forum (NEGF).

Alkali said the meeting was to allow meaningful interaction and inputs from Bauchi stakeholders on the various aspects of the plan before its final adoption as a workable blueprint for wholesale development and rehabilitation of the region.

Zulum had, last month, claimed: “The outcome of the recovery peace-building assessment by the World Bank, European Union (EU) and Union Nations (UN) revealed that about $6.9 billion was lost as a result of the insurgency in the Northeastern states. Out of this, Borno accounts for over two-third.”

One of the components of the masterplan is proposing a railroad to connect Borno, Yobe, Adamawa, Gombe, Bauchi and Taraba with the Southern part of the country.

Governor Bala Mohammed of Bauchi commended NEDC for its developmental intervention in the state.

He said the commission has commenced construction of 500 housing units, donation of the molecular laboratory (testing centre), ventilator and many relief materials for vulnerable residents of the state.