The North East Youth Council has thrown its weight behind the North East Development Commission (NEDC) for its swift disaster response and its bold step to modernise transportation through a new electric mobility initiative.
The council also commended the commission for its decisive and timely interventions during last year’s devastating floods in northern Bauchi, where thousands of residents were displaced and several communities faced severe losses.
The council’s publicity secretary, Ahmed Isa Azare, in a statement on Thursday, noted that the commission’s rapid deployment of relief materials, medical assistance, and rehabilitation support helped avert a major humanitarian crisis and restored hope to the affected areas.
Azare said the NEDC, under the leadership of Managing Director Mohammed Goni Alkali, has consistently demonstrated the capacity to tackle emergencies and rebuild war-torn communities since its establishment by the National Assembly in 2017, driving resettlement, reconstruction, and recovery in the wake of the Boko Haram insurgency.
He said: “Since its inception, the commission has spearheaded multiple initiatives, from constructing housing units for displaced persons and rehabilitating schools and health centres, to distributing agricultural inputs and offering ICT training for youth.
“In line with its commitment to improving livelihoods, the NEDC is now embarking on a groundbreaking e-mobility project designed to ease transportation challenges in the region. The initiative, which has already begun with the rollout of electric buses in Maiduguri, will soon extend to the rest of the North-East.
“It will see the deployment of electric buses, taxis, and tricycles for both intra- and inter-state travel, reducing reliance on petrol and diesel while providing more affordable, eco-friendly transport options.
“Covering all six states of the region, the project also aims to cushion the economic impact of the fuel subsidy removal, making daily commuting cheaper and more sustainable for residents.”
The council described the move as a bold step towards modernising the region’s transport system while addressing environmental concerns, adding that the integration of clean energy solutions into everyday life would further strengthen economic resilience in the post-insurgency era.
The group urged the NEDC to maintain its strong engagement in rural areas where access to basic services remains limited. It encouraged other agencies to emulate its proactive and hands-on approach to both emergency relief and long-term development.
