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Tag: NEDC

  • Change your mindset, to work – Humanitarian Minister tells NEDC

    Change your mindset, to work – Humanitarian Minister tells NEDC

    Wevole Ezin, Calabar.

    The Minister for Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Alleviation, Dr. Betta Edu has told the Management and Staff of the North East Development Commission (NEDC) to change their mindset and attitude to work.

    Dr. Edu who gave the warning while addressing the management of the Commission at its Headquarters in Maiduguri said it would no longer be business as usual.

    She urged them to work with a strategy that will help to deliver the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Bola Tinubu, which is aimed at reducing poverty and humanitarian crises in the region.

    While frowned at the attitude to work of the Commission’s top management staff, she said only collaboration and partnership will help the Commission to deliver on its mandate.

    According to her, a situation where various departments don’t share knowledge or collaborate, leading to difficulties in achieving short, medium, and long-term goals, saying it won’t work under the Leadership of President Bola Tinubu. “It is a team work. We must all collaborate and stop the duplication and wastages.

    “Enough of the joke. Working in silos and poor coordination will not give Nigeria results. We can’t continue with business as usual. Please let us make U-turn leave politics of division and face the job. Nigerians are waiting.

    “President Tinubu and Vice President Kashim Shettima are working together on how to reduce poverty and humanitarian crises in Nigeria, and this Commission is very strategic to the people of North Eastern part of Nigeria to drive the agenda. “You must, therefore, fasten your belt and be goal-oriented. The only thing I want to see and hear is the result, and teamwork is key to achieving this, “she stressed.

    The Minister challenged the Management of the Commission to come up with strategic plans on how to lift people of the region out of poverty and humanitarian crises. Providing durable solutions and capital projects that will lead to development and poverty alleviation
    “I believe the management team in this hall can bring about the much-needed change to enable us to see a different result. “I challenge you to jettison the conventional ways of doing things, the era of politics is over, so please, give us results, sit down on the roundtable to implement the master plan of the Commission aligning it with the Renewed Hope Agenda of Mr President”

    Dr. Edu appealed to some of the development partners in attendance, including UNFPA, UNICEF, IOM, and WFO, to reprioritize the Governments mandate and key into the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.

    The Executive Director, Administration, and Finance of the Commission, Dr. Garba Abubakar Illiya, who responded on behalf of the management team, assured the Minister that the message of collaboration and partnership was well received by them,saying they will henceforth work as a team to achieve sucess.

    He promised the Commission would work with the Minister to enable speedy implementation of its ten-year Development and Stabilization master plan.
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  • 6 North-Eastern states get N15 billion palliatives

    6 North-Eastern states get N15 billion palliatives

    The North-East Development Commission (NEDC) has presented palliatives worth N15b to the six states in the region.

    The states are Borno, Adamawa, Yobe, Gombe, Bauchi, and Taraba states.

    The food and non-food items were presented to the governors of the states by Vice President Kashim Shettima at a ceremony on Saturday in Maiduguri.

    Shettima, who lauded the management of NEDC for prudent management of scarce resources, said that the destruction in the six states was worth nine billion dollars.

    According to him, in Borno alone, the destruction is worth 6.8 billion dollars.

    Shetima also performed the ground breaking of the 22.5 km Mafa-Jere road project being undertaken by NEDC.

    He urged the commission to consider handling some critical federal roads linking states in the region to facilitate socioeconomic activities.

    NEDC managing director Mohammed Alkali, in a remark, said that the provision of the N15b food palliatives  was in line with the Federal Government’s initiative to cushion the hardship faced by the less privileged.

    “Current economic situations have led to soaring prices of food items and heightened food insecurity nationwide.

    Recall that President Bola Tinubu on July 31 announced some short and medium-term measures to ease the economic hardship faced by the region whacked by violent crises over the years.

    Alkali said that the 22.5km road linking communities in Mafa and Jere was part of the 38.66km Zabarmari Area Roads Network from Ngowom-Koshebe, Galameri-Dusuman and Khaddamari-Zabarmari-Gongolong.

    He said that the road was part of the network of roads being executed by the commission to provide access to Jere Bowl, an important agrarian locality in Borno, to enhance security and mobility of people and goods.

    “Similar road projects such as the 32km Dabna-Garkida Road in Adamawa, 53km Kirfi-Gombe Abba Road in Bauchi and Gombe States, and 54km Mutai-Ngalda Road in Yobe State, among others, are ongoing.

    “There are also other projects of the commission in other sectors such as Mass Housing, Mega Schools, Hospitals, etc.

    “These infrastructural projects are the strides the commission has been taking towards the development of the region as captured in the 11 Pillars of North-East Master Plan.

    “They are also in tandem with the Federal Government’s initiatives to address the critical infrastructural deficit and catalyse long-term socio-economic development.”

    In his remarks, the NEDC board Chairman, Maj. Gen. Paul Tarfa (rtd), thanked the reconstituted board and lauded the transfer of the commission’s supervision from the ministry to the presidency.

    Items presented included rice, cartons of spaghetti/macaroni, gallons of vegetable oil, blankets, mats, clothing materials for men, women and children, among others.

    NAN

  • Senate confirms nominations of NEDC Board

    Senate confirms nominations of NEDC Board

    Senate has confirmed President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s nomination for appointment as members of the Board of the North-East Development Commission (NEDC).

    The confirmation is sequel to the screening of the nominees at the plenary on Wednesday.

    Those confirmed are: Gen. Paul Tarfa, Chairman for re-appointment (North -East) Adamawa), Gambo Maikomo member (North -East Taraba), and Abdullahi Abbas member (North-West Kano ).

    Others are Tsav Aondoana member (North- Central Benue) Chief Mutiu Lawal- Areh Member (South- West Lagos), Samuel Onuigbo Member (South-East Abia), Frank Owhor, member (South-South Rivers) and Mohammad Alkali (Managing Director North -East Borno) Re-appointment.

    Others are Ahmed Yahaya Executive Director of operations, North -East Gombe, Dr Abubakar Iliya, Executive Director Admin and finance, (North -East Yobe) and  Musa Yashi, Executive Director Humanitarian Affairs ( North- East Bauchi)

    Earlier, before their confirmation, Tarfa, Chairaman designate of NEDC, who was reappointed, pledged continued commitment of the board to discharge its mandate in line with the Act establishing the commission.

    Mohammad Alkali, Managing Director of NEDC said the board had initiated and has ongoing projects across education, health, agriculture among other sectors across the North-East states.

    He commended the Federal Government for its support and commitment, saying that funding was a challenge in execution of projects.

    Sen.Abdul Ningi (PDP-Bauchi) said the North -East Senate caucus would partner with the NEDC board to ensure execution of projects.

    He, however, urged the board to ensure judicious use of the funds appropriated for projects implementation, saying that the North-East zone was the least developed.

    Sen.Ahmed Lawan, (APC-Yobe) commended Tinubu for the nominations and said the commission was established to take care of the people of North-East.

    He, however, said that there was an overbalance by the Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs and Disaster Management on the activities of the NEDC.

    Lawan urged the board to partner state governments in the region on projects initiation and execution.

    He appealed to the committee over sighting the commission, when constituted to be mindful of its oversight, especially on issues relating to overbearing influence of the ministry.

    President of the Senate Godswill Akpabio, urged the board to also engage state governments and other stakeholders to avoid duplication of projects.

    He urged the board to liase with the Senate to work assiduously to alleviate the pains and sufferings of the people of the region.

  • Tinubu seeks Senate confirmation of NEDC Board

    Tinubu seeks Senate confirmation of NEDC Board

    President Bola Tinubu has sought confirmation of Senate, for the appointments of members and the Executive Management of governing board of the North East Development Commission(NEDC).

    Tinubu’s request was contained in a letter addressed to President of Senate Godswill Akpiabio and read at plenary on Wednesday.

    Tinubu in the letter said:” in accordance with Section 5(b) of the North East Development Commission Establishment 2017 Act.

    ” I write to present for confirmation by the Senate, the appointment of a Chairman, Members and Executive Management of the Board of the North-East Development Commission.

    The nominees for confirmation include Gen. Paul Tarfa Chairman for re-appointment ( North -East) Adamawa), Gambo Maikomo member (North -East Taraba), Abdullahi Abbas member ( North -West Kano).

    Others are Tsav Aondoana member ( North- Central Benue) Chief Mutiu Lawal- Areh Member ( South- West Lagos ), Samuel Onuigbo Member( South-East Abia)

    Others are Frank Owhor, member ( South-South Rivers ),Mohammad Alkali (Managing Director North -East Borno) Re-appointment, Musa Yashi, Executive Director Humanitarian Affairs ( North- East Bauchi)

    Ahmed Yahaya Executive Director operations, North-East Gombe, Dr Abubakar Iliya, Executive Director Admin and finance, (North-East Yobe).

    Tinubu said the two representatives from the Ministry of Finance Budget and National Planning would complete the membership of the board, as stipulated by the Act.

    “While hoping that the request will receive the usual expeditious consideration of the Senate, please accept, Distinguished Senate President, the assurances of my highest consideration, Tinubu said.

  • Buhari seeks confirmation of 12 nominees for Governing Board of NEDC

    Buhari seeks confirmation of 12 nominees for Governing Board of NEDC

    President Muhammadu Buhari has asked the Senate to confirm the appointment of 12 nominees as members of the Governing Board of the North East Development Commission (NEDC).

    According to a statement by Malam Garba Shehu, the President’s spokesman, on Friday in Abuja, the president’s request is contained in a letter addressed to Senate President Ahmed Lawan dated May 3.

    ‘‘In accordance with the provision of Part 1, section 2(5)(b) of the North East Development Commission Establishment Act, 2017, I am pleased to present for confirmation by the Senate, the appointment of 12 nominees as tabulated below, in the Governing Board of the North East Development Commission.

    ‘‘The Senate is invited to note that the tenure of the current Governing Board of the North East Development Commission will end on 7th May, 2023,” the president said in the letter.

    The nominees include: Bashir Bukar Baale, Chairman, (North East, Yobe); Suwaiba Idris Baba, Executive Director, Humanitarian Affairs, (North East, Taraba); Musa Yashi, Executive Director, Administration and Finance, (North East, Bauchi) and Dr Ismaila Maksha, Executive Director, Operations (North East, Adamawa).

    Others are: Umar Hashidu, MD/CEO, (North East, Gombe); Grema Ali, member, (North East, Borno); Onyeka Gospel-Tony, member, (South East); Mrs Hailmary Ogolo Aipoh, member, (South-South) and retired Air Commodore Babatunde Akanbi, member, (South West).

    Other nominees include, Mustapha Ahmed Ibrahim, member, (North West); Hadiza Maina, member, (North Central) and a representative from the Federal Ministry of Finance, Budget and National Planning.

    Shehu quoted the president as expressing hope that his request “will receive the usual expeditious consideration and confirmation of the Senate.”

  • NEDC accelerated resettlement process in N/East – Official

    NEDC accelerated resettlement process in N/East – Official

    The Chairman, Governing Board, North East Development Commission (NEDC), retired Maj.-Gen. Paul Tarfa said that the Commission has accelerated resettlement of persons displaced by the Boko Haram insurgency in the region.

    Tarfa said this on Tuesday in Maiduguri at a three-day capacity building workshop on conflict sensitive reporting, organised by the Commission for journalists.

    He lauded President Muhammadu Buhari for the feat, adding that the establishment of the Commission fast track speedy return of peace to the troubled region.

    “The activities of the NEDC fast track the return of relative peace to the troubled areas as victims of insurgency were being resettled and getting back their normal routine life,” he said.

    He also commended journalists for publicising its activities, adding that this had made the public to be more aware of the existence and objectives of the Commission.

    Also, NEDC’s Managing Director, Mr Mohammed Alkali said the training was designed to expise the participants to the necessary skills required in reporting conflict in a sensitive environment like the North-East.

    He noted that the journalists based in the North-East region had done well in reporting the activities of NEDC since inception.

    Alkali urged the participants to reflect in their reports the true situation of things in the region, stressing that, “what people outside the zone often hear was far from the reality on the ground”.

    “Peace has been restored in the zone, and people are going back to their normal day business activities.

    “In Maiduguri; now you can walk freely, go anywhere and do whatever legitimate business you wish to do. Unlike five or 10 years ago, I don’t think I’ll even want all of you to come here,” he said.

    The Managing Director appreciated the Federal Government for its resolve towards tackling insecurity across the country through various channels, including NEDC.

  • Like NDDC! Reps to probe misappropriation of N100bn at North East Development Commission

    Like NDDC! Reps to probe misappropriation of N100bn at North East Development Commission

    The House of Representatives is to investigate an alleged sleaze and misappropriation of about N100 billion at the North East Development Commission (NEDC).

    Adopting a motion of urgent public importance at Thursday’s plenary, the House mandated its Committee on NEDC to investigate the allegations and report back to the House for further legislative action.

    Sponsor of the motion, Ndudi Elumelu said that the NEDC bill was signed into law in October 2017 by president Buhari to replace other initiatives such as the presidential initiative on Northeast (PINE) and Victims Support Fund (VSF) while the board of management inaugurated in May 2019.

    According to him, the commission was established with a mission of coordinating funds accruing from the federation account and donor agencies for the purposes of rehabilitating and resettling of victims of insurgency, reconstruction of homes, infrastructural development and tackling of illiteracy in the Northeastern part of the country.

    He reminded the House that there has been massive displacement of Nigerian citizens in the Northeast as a result of the activities of Boko Haram insurgents, where houses, schools, mosques, churches , farmlands and businesses were destroyed thereby rendering people homeless and jobless.

  • NEDC will not be mismanaged – Dogara assures Nigerians

    NEDC will not be mismanaged – Dogara assures Nigerians

    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.

    TheNewsGuru.com reports that 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.