Taiye Odewale, Abuja
Ahead of the establishment of the North East Development Commission (NEDC) arising from the signing of the Bill establishing it into an Act by President Muhammadu Buhari penultimate week, Senator Bukar Abba Ibrahim (APC Yobe East) has declared that the commission would not in any way serve as conduit pipe for anybody.
The lawmaker however urged the federal government and the benefitting States to be wary of crooks and fraudulent people that may want to hijack the commission for selfish purposes.
He stated this during an interview with journalists on Saturday in Abuja disclosing that stakeholders from the entire six States in the zone, including Borno, Yobe, Adamawa, Bauchi, Gombe and Taraba, would soon meet to ensure that the commission when eventually put on ground by the federal government, addresses development of the north east area and nothing more.
“The bill upon which the commission is being established as sponsored by the entire North East Senators and their counterparts in the House of Representatives along with other concerned federal lawmakers at both chambers is all about how the commission would be used to fast track reconstruction, rehabilitation and resettlement of places destroyed by the Boko Haram insurgents.
“We shall not in any way allow it to be used as conduit pipe by anybody for any selfish purpose or purposes”, he said.
He added that the stakeholders would also ensure that development minded people of unquestionable characters are appointed to serve in the commission and not those who will see it as cash cow or a platform for political patronage or settlement.
He stressed further that governors of the six States must show commitment at ensuring that resources accrued to the Commission were not diverted.
He however commended President Mohammadu Buhari for signing the bill into law which according to him, was borne out of his understanding of the area.
He said “The signing into law of the NEDC bill was as a result of Buhari’s understanding of the zone when he served as Military Administrator of Borno State.
“I do know that Buhari understands the economy of Northeast having being Military Administrator of the old Borno State, and how the zone has been devastated now, he is also feeling sympathetic to the people”.
