In my opinion article which appeared in the Daily Trust of Friday March 22, 2024, titled “Beyond Palliatives, Ramadan feeding” which focused on the banditry overwhelmed states of the Northwest and Niger, I called on our distinguished senators from the Northwest to as a matter of national importance sponsor a bill for the establishment of Northwest Development Commission.
By Nasiru Yahaya Isa
If I may quote directly from the content of that article “…I wish to also advocate like the North-East Development Commission, for the establishment of similar commission that will be charged with the responsibility of assessing, coordinating, harmonizing and reporting on all intervention programs, and initiatives by the Federal Government or any of its Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs), States; and other Development Partners and for the implementation of all programs and initiatives towards the reconstruction, rehabilitation and resettlement of the affected populations in the Northwest states: Kaduna, Sokoto, Katsina, Kebbi, Zamfara and Niger states. I therefore, wish to seize this medium to crave for the indulgence of our distinguished senators from these affected states to as a matter national importance, individually or jointly, sponsor a bill for the establishment of this institutional structure”.
Today, I feel so much elated and full of joy that, even if it is by act of coincidence, it is a dream come true, as my recommendation has come to pass on Thursday, May 16, 2024, when to the glory of the Almighty God, the North-West Development Commission (NWDC) bill to address the challenges facing the seven states in the North-West geopolitical zone was passed by the senate at the red chamber following the consideration and adoption of the report of the Committee on Special Duties on the NWDC (Establishment). The bill to establish the commission was sponsored by the Deputy President of the Senate, Senator Barau I. Jibrin and 20 other senators from the seven states in the North-West geopolitical zone.
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According to the Chairman of the committee on Special Duties on the NWDC, Sen. Shehu Lawan Kaka (APC, Borno Central), the intent and purpose of the bill are well structured and strategically streamlined for the socio-economic development of the North-West geopolitical zone of the country, adding that, the commission’s establishment would bring the federal government closer to the North-Western states and meet the yearnings and aspirations of the people.
There is no doubt that, North-West has been hit by an unprecedented wave of kidnappings, maiming, killings, population displacements, cattle rustling, and disruption of socio-economic activities due to the rise of armed bandits in the region. The persistent banditry in Nigeria’s North-West region has undermined the nation’s economic activities and social development and has challenged the government’s primary constitutional responsibility of securing lives and property. The banditry has forced many people to flee their homes, abandoning businesses and livelihoods. The economic displacement of individuals and communities has created a ripple effect, affecting local markets, small businesses, and overall economic productivity. Thousands have been displaced and hundred of villages have been razed and deserted in continuing bandit activity in North-West Nigeria. Many villagers displaced have been forced into Niger’s Republic, where cross-border raids and attacks continue.
The establishment of the North-West Development Commission is therefore, timely and commendable as one of its core mandate will be in the area of rehabilitation, reconstruction and resettlement of IDPs in order to provide critical lifesaving and sustaining support to those banditry affected populations in their respective states. This commission when comes into being is expected to address the infrastructural deficit in shelter, water and sanitation, education and health in the banditry ravaged states of the region which will go a long way in ameliorating poverty and improving the living standard of the vulnerable population of these banditry-afflicted North-Western states of Nigeria.
Finally, as we the people of the North-West welcome this lofty initiative and congratulate our distinguished senators for this wonderful accomplishment, it is our ardent prayer that, the bill will be given expeditious transmission to Mr. President, hoping that, His Excellency, Ahmed Bola Tinubu, GCFR, the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria timely gives assent to bill for the immediate take-off of the commission.
Isa (Wamban Isa), a retired Permanent Secretary of the Sokoto State Civil Service writes from Sokoto and can be reached @ nasiruyahayaisa@gmail.com
