By Abdul Kareem

The North East Development Commission (NEDC) has firmly rebutted allegations made against its Managing Director, Mr. Mohammed Goni Alkali, asserting that the Commission’s projects are not only visible but also verifiable and functional across the North East region.

In a strong response to an online article penned by one Reverend Kallamu Musa Ali Dikwa, which called for Alkali’s removal over claims of corruption and embezzlement, a high-ranking NEDC official, who preferred to remain anonymous, labeled the accusations as “wicked desperation and parochial sentiment.”

The official who preferred to remain anonymous as he did not obtain the express permission of the NEDC MD or it’s management to speak on the matter, said that these allegations were merely an attempt by “an uninformed mischief maker and his co-travelers” to tarnish the reputation of the result-oriented MD and mislead the public for ulterior motives.

The official emphasized that it wouldn’t have been necessary to respond to Mr. Kallamu’s “tales of moonlight” but felt compelled to set the record straight against the “tissues of lies and harebrained innuendoes” in the said article. Noting the surprising and disappointing nature of the claims, especially from a self-proclaimed reverend, the official highlighted the transformative impact of the NEDC’s projects under Alkali’s leadership.

“We proudly state that the accounts of NEDC are always open for investigation. Mr. Goni Alkali is certainly one of the most prudent and strict civil servants known not only in the North East but in the entire country,” asserted the official.

Since the inception of the first board in 2019, the Goni Alkali-led team has boldly confronted the humanitarian crisis in the region with clarity of purpose and responsibility. The NEDC has collaborated with the Federal Government, six state governments, and global and domestic agencies to formulate policies, programs, and projects. These efforts have yielded exceptional results on a global scale, aimed at rebuilding entities from the rubble of terror and violent conflicts.

The official listed numerous NEDC projects, including houses for resettling IDPs, roads and bridges across the six states, mega schools in the 18 senatorial districts, state-of-the-art hospital interventions, and youth training programs in various skills such as ICT and renewable energy. The Commission has also revamped tertiary institutions and healthcare services, with signature projects like the Center for the Study of Violence and Extremism (CSVE).

The far-sightedness and commitment of the NEDC’s leadership team drive the Commission’s excellence. The official revealed ambitious plans, including a rail network connecting the region to the Nigerian south, the introduction of electric mobility to reduce transportation costs and carbon emissions, a proposed North East Airline, and specialized hospitals to address the region’s health needs. Agricultural interventions to ensure food security and palliative distributions are also among Alkali’s notable achievements.

A high-profile politician in the region, speaking anonymously, stated that accusing Mr. Goni Alkali of non-performance or corruption is akin to witchcraft given his accomplishments and leadership style. “Isn’t it remarkable that under Mohammed Goni Alkali, NEDC has executed over 700 critical projects in about four years? How can such a dedicated leader be subjected to such baseless and destructive criticism?” the politician questioned.

Residents in the region have echoed this sentiment, with many calling for similar interventionist commissions nationwide due to the positive outcomes of Goni Alkali’s leadership. The NEDC’s top official’s rebuttal underscores the Commission’s commitment to transparency, effectiveness, and the welfare of the North East region.