By Chukwuka Kanu
The Nigerian Senate on Wednesday passed for a second reading, a bill for an Act to establish the North West Development Commission (NWDC).
The Bill which was passed by the 9th National Assembly but was not assented to by former President Muhammadu Buhari was reintroduced in the 10th Assembly and co-sponsored by Barau Jibrin (Kano North), the Deputy Senate President, and the entire North West Senators.
The bill which was first read on September 26, 2023, and passed a second reading during plenary on Thursday after lawmakers voted in favour of it.
Barau while leading the debate on the Bill titled, “A Bill for an Act to establish the North West Development Commission to catalyze to development of the arrays of the potentials of the North West as well as address the gap in infrastructural development of the region and for related matters, 2024 (SB.90) noted that the bill could not be signed by former President Buhari because it was passed late, at a time when the administration was winding down.
He argued that the North West as a region has contributed immensely to the overall development of Nigeria in terms of Agriculture and other areas of endeavour yet the region remains hugely underdeveloped.
The lawmaker also noted that the zone has the highest population of people amongst the six geo-political zones in the country, and its youths consist of 70% of the population of the people of the zone.
“What the region requires now from the Federal Government is the support to develop its infrastructure and educate its seeming youths to drive the process of developing the zone in its entirety”, he said.
Barau decried that the infrastructure of the zone has been immensely destroyed by the activities of the Boko Haram Insurgents, armed Bandits and Kidnappers across the region leading to the exodus of investors, businessmen, managers of companies and employees.
“This destruction is having a major impact on the economy of the region as it has led to severe food shortages and unemployment in a region that has traditionally produced cash and food crops across the Sahel.
The Federal Government is in the right position to show concern in the face of the plethora of problems and challenges facing this geo-political zone by creating the North West Commission to appropriately address the developmental needs of the zone”, he added.
He explained further that the Commission shall among other things be: formulate policies and guidelines for the development of the North West Zone where security shall prevail; rebuild the road, medical, educational, social, agricultural and other infrastructures destroyed in the region by the activities of Boko-Haram Insurgents and Bandits;
“Conceive, plan and implement, by the set rules and regulations, projects and programmes for the sustainable development of
the North West in the field of roads, education, health facilities, employment, industrialization, agriculture, housing and urban development, water supply, electricity and commerce;
“Identify factors inhibiting the development of the region and assist the member States in the formulation and implementation of policies to ensure sound and efficient management of resources of the North West Zone;
“Tackle ecological and environmental problems that arise from desertification problems and other related environmental challenges in the Zone.
Senate President Godswill Akpabio in his contribution suggested that the funding for the Commission should be borne by the federal government, state government, local government and businesses.
After listening to arguments from lawmakers, Akpabio put the bill to a voice vote, and lawmakers voted in favour.
He then referred the bill to the committee on special duties for further legislative action.