SPEAKER of the House of Representatives, Rt Hon Yakubu Dogara, has urged Nigerians to support the establishment of the proposed North East Development Commission (NEDC) Bill, saying mechanisms will be put in place to ensure that it is not mismanaged.
Dogara, spoke when a delegation from states in the North East, led by Governor Kashim Shettima of Borno State, paid members of the National Assembly a thank you visit for passing the NEDC bill, also promised that when established, the commission will be carefully monitored for it to fulfill its purpose of restoration, rehabilitation and development of the region.
Addressing some concerns that the agency will duplicate existing ones, the speaker explained that the NEDC will provide a legal framework with which donor agencies and other interested parties can confidently assist in the development of the region, knowing that they can take legal action against the commission if any law or agreement is breached.
While declaring that “the ruins of the North East will turn to glory,” Dogara added that the commission will go a long way in improving the lives of Nigerians in that region and create jobs for the teeming unemployed youths in the region, thereby reducing the likelihood of insurgency among them.
“We know what we felt and we know what we can do if this agency is established,” he added.
The speaker expressed confidence that the bill will get the assent of President Muhammadu Buhari and urged the leaders, elders and other stakeholders to continue to advocate for the establishment of the commission.
