By Abdul Kareem

In North East Nigeria, a total of 1,058 wards, spanning 48 Federal Constituencies and 18 Senatorial Districts, are set to benefit from a series of development projects and aid distributions, as announced by the North East Development Commission (NEDC).

The ambitious plans, as outlined by the NEDC’s Managing Director, Mohammed Alkali, aim to address economic stagnation and bolster employment in the region.

Mr Alkali who made this public at a press conference jointly granted by the chairman of the Commission’s board, Major General Paul Tarfa (rtd)/added that “all those areas have been mapped out.”

Alkali also detailed the Commission’s strategy to ensure comprehensive coverage for the region’s most vulnerable and indigent populations.

Major General Tarfa explained during the  press conference in Abuja that followed their first full meeting since the Board’s inauguration.

He highlighted the Commission’s commitment to improving market access, enhancing security, and introducing revolutionary e-mobility programs to the area.

“We’ve completed all arrangements, and by the grace of God, transportation problems will be a thing of the past,” Tarfa stated, reflecting the optimism of the NEDC’s renewed focus under President Bola Tinubu’s agenda for the common Nigerian.

The NEDC is not only targeting infrastructure improvements but is also set to continue with intermittent food distribution drives to support the efforts of both state and federal governments. The aid is expected to reach a broad spectrum of society, with allocations including 300,000 bags of rice, 200,000 cartons of spaghetti and macaroni, and large quantities of vegetable oil, sugar, as well as essential clothing and household items.

Road construction projects are also a major part of the NEDC’s blueprint for development, with six significant roadworks underway across the region, and most slated for completion by December 2024.

These developments are part of a broader initiative to provide both direct and indirect employment opportunities. “So many need to be employed,” said Tarfa on the urgent need for job creation.

This series of planned developments by the NEDC is a concerted effort to rejuvenate the North East region’s economy, aiming to make a profound impact on the living standards of its residents.