The North East Development Commission, NEDC said it has earmarked about 100 billion naira for construction of 50 megawatts power grid to power some of the 102 local government areas of the six states in the region.
The Managing Director/CEO of the Commission, Alhaji Mohammed Alkali disclosed this while briefing Media Executives and Bureau Chiefs of selected organisations in Abuja.
Alhaji Alkali who spoke alongside the Chairman of the Commission, Major Gen. Paul Tarfa (rtd), said the NEDC has come a long way in addressing the critical needs of the citizens following the activities of Boko Haram insurgents.
He said the Commission had resolved that terrorism and other criminal activities would no longer determine the philosophy of the people of the North East, but a complete return to normal lifestyle defined by the culture of the people in commerce, agriculture, industry and education.
Alkali said the Commission’s activities since its inception seven years ago were premised on the Master Plan for the region, noting that the Master Plan was anchored on four major pillars of Stabilisation and Recovery, Renewal, Expansion and Sustainable growth.
In delivering the projects to change the narratives of the region, Alkali said the Commission had executed educational, agricultural and health projects in all the states in the zones, and committed several billions of naira to them.
He disclosed that the Commission also plan to construct boreholes worth over 30 billion naira for the 1024 wards in the six states of Adamawa, Borno, Bauchi, Taraba, Yobe and Gombe.
He added that when the Commission came on stream, there were no MIR machines and other critical equipment in the hospitals in the region, stressing that by now the region has eight MIR machines and scanning equipment facilitated by the Commission.
He said:’The Commission recently attained five ISO certifications covering quality,
environment, occupational health and safety, anti-bribery and sustainable
communities, demonstrating globally recognised governance systems.
‘It has completed over 300 kilometres of roads and more than 50 bridges, reconnecting communities, reducing transport costs and improving access to markets, schools andhospitals.
:Through the Light Up the North-East Project, more than 100,000 solar
streetlights have improved security and extended commercial activity. In education,
49 tertiary institution projects, 18 Mega Schools and over 100 Water, Sanitation
and Hygiene (WASH) facilities have expanded access to learning.
‘ To date, NEDC has delivered over 300 kilometres of roads and more than 50 bridges, restoring critical transport corridors, improving access to education and healthcare, facilitating trade, and strengthening regional integration.
‘Across Adamawa State, the Commission constructed the 32km Dabna Road,
the Federal College of Education, Yola Road, the College of Education, Hong Road,
the Garkida Cross-Kukurtu Road, and rehabilitated roads in Fufore. Landmark projects such as the Numan Bridge, Bole Bridge, Madagali and Michika Bridges, and
the Mubi-Maiha-Sarao Bridges have significantly improved connectivity, agricultural transportation and cross-border trade.
‘In Bauchi State, the Commission delivered the 32km Kirfi-Gombe Abba Road, the
landmark Tashan Turmi, Bara and Kalajanga Bridges, the Ningi-Yadagungume-Fuskar Mata Road, the Soro-Ganjuwa Bridge, and extensive erosion control and drainage works, improving inter-state connectivity and climate resilience.