By Collins Yakubu-Hammer
The North-East Development Commission (NEDC) says it is set to unlock the region’s economic potential by accelerating investments that promote industrialisation, regional connectivity, energy security, enterprise development and human capital.
The Managing Director of the Commission, Alhaji Mahammed Alkali, made disclosed this during a media parley on Thursday in Abuja.
Alkali explained that the governing board of the Commission had approved the landmark investments to accelerate regional transformation, drive economic growth and advance President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda.
“The NEDC, established to coordinate the
years of insurgency and humanitarian crises, has progressively translated the Master Plan into tangible interventions that are restoring hope, rebuilding communities and laying the foundation for long-term prosperity.
“The Commission’s initial efforts focused on the stabillsation and recovery phase,
restoring critical infrastructure, supporting displaced communities, rebuilding schools and health facilities.
“This was followed by the Renewal Phase, during which the Commission expanded investments in strategic infrastructure, renewable energy, education, healthcare, environmental sustainability, economic empowerment and institutional development across the six states of the region.
“Today, the Commission is entering the next phase of the Master Plan- Expansion and Sustainable Growth.
“This phase seeks to unlock the region’s economic potential by accelerating investments that promote industrialisation, regional connectivity, energy security, enterprise development and human capital,” Alkali said.
According to him, the North-East Stabilisation and Development Master Plan (NESDMP) is guided by 11 strategic pillars.
He said the pillars include peaceful society, leadership in agriculture, healthy citizens, purposeful infrastructure, productive entrepreneurs, educated populace and protected environment.
Others, he said, are industrialisation, flourishing trade, memorable experiences, and a connected region.
“The Commission is shifting its
focus from rebuilding what was lost to creating the conditions for long-term
competitiveness and shared prosperity.
“The North-East is no longer defined by its past, but by the promise of its future.
“We are moving from recovery, renewal and stabilisation to development, from
recovery to prosperity.
“This vision reflects the Commission’s unwavering commitment to transforming the region into a peaceful, productive and investment-ready region.
“This is a region whose growth contributes meaningfully to Nigeria’s economic development, national stability and
regional integration,” Alkali said. (NAN) regional integration,” Alkali said. (NAN)