By Bisola Adeyemo
The North -East Development Commission (NEDC) has unveiled North-East Stabilization and Development Master Plan (NESDMP) as a new model to develop the infrastructure and peacebuilding.
The plan was unveiled on Monday during a Consultative Meeting with Representatives of North -East State Governments in Abuja.
Speaking with NatureNews, the lead consultant of the master plan, Dr Kassim Gidado, said the (NESDMP) 2030 was aimed at achieving a thriving and peaceful region.
“The (NESDMP) is a ten (10) year plan which commenced in 2020 targeting to end in 2030 to achieve its aim and objectives on alleviating poverty, peacebuilding and bringing transformation to the region with prosperity.
“Also, creating a striving region that has productive citizens that are freely engaged with the economy, hopefully, we are targeting around 70% population of the region to be productivity engage in the activity.
“ Going forward, we intend to have some interaction with the states and with the Federal components so that at the end we have a robust system.
“Regarding nepotism, schemes and programmes, sensitization can deal with it and other crisis in the North- East.
Concerning issues of insurgence and other conflict, “we believe by 2023, all these will be put behind us,” he said.
The Head of Monitoring and Evaluation for NEDC, Yusuf Kachako, in his opening remarks, described the master plan as an all-inclusive roadmap for peace, which includes sustainable, replacement, reconstruction regeneration, renewal, redevelopment, in the field of infrastructure and social services, including health, education, water supply, stakeholders consultation, and sustainable growth across.
Kachako said, “NEDC has been consulting widely to incorporate opinions of the vast stakeholders in the master planning process through participatory approach and knowledge exchange.
“Some participatory and inclusive engagements already undertaken, are individual and organisation, stakeholders, consultation across all 112 local governments in the North- East which started June /July 2020.”
Dr Hilkiah Babujode, vocal person for NEDC, Taraba State said “being the first engagement with the state, we want NEDC and Masterplan to look deeper into the potential of the Agricultural sector in Taraba state and develop it in a manner that food production will be enhanced for poverty alleviation to be achieved.”