The North East Development Commission (NEDC) has announced the construction of thousands of housing estates for Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) alongside other developmental projects at various stages of completion across the region.

The disclosure was made during a three-day retreat on institutional coordination for development in Lagos.

Organised by the Federal Ministry of Regional Development, the retreat convened leaders of five Regional Development Commissions, including the Niger Delta, South South, South East, North West, and North East Commissions. The Minister of Regional Development, Abubakar Momoh, and key officials of the Ministry, as well as members of the Boards and Management of the Commissions, were in attendance.

The NEDC delegation, led by Chairman Maj Gen Paul Tarfa and Managing Director/CEO Mohammed Goni Alkali, highlighted the agency’s achievements in fostering peace, security, and prosperity through proactive measures.

Alkali noted that the Commission has successfully promoted agricultural development to enhance food security, provided critical infrastructure and transportation networks, and empowered youths across the region.

“Many communities destroyed by the Boko Haram insurgency have been reconstructed or rehabilitated,” Alkali stated. “This includes roads, bridges, markets, and houses, while millions of displaced persons have been reintegrated into their communities.”

He further emphasised the Commission’s role in delivering quality education, healthcare services, and rural transformation, saying, “The NEDC has turned rural areas into semi-urban centres equipped with modern social amenities.”

Highlighting the breadth of its impact, Alkali revealed that the Commission’s completed projects include roads, bridges, schools, hospitals, markets, Skills Acquisition Centres, and agricultural and youth empowerment initiatives.