Senate Passes North- West Dev Commission Bill

The Senate has passed the North -West Development Commission (NWDC) bill to address the challenges facing the seven geopolitical zones.

This followed the consideration and adoption of the report of the Committee on Special Duties on the NWDC (Establishment).

The bill, sponsored by the Deputy President of the Senate, Senator Barau Jibrin and 20 other senators from the seven states in the North- West geopolitical zone would boost socio-economic development in the states.

The chairman of the committee,  Shehu Lawan Kaka (APC, Borno Central) moved the motion for the presentation and consideration of the report, while Sen. Ireti Kingibe (LP, FCT) seconded.

 In the committee’s report, Senator Kaka said the intents and purposes of the bill are well structured and strategically streamlined for the socio-economic development of the North West geopolitical zone of the country.

Describing the North West as the food basket of the country, Barau said, the establishment of the bill would aid work towards the restoration of infrastructure destroyed by Boko Haram insurgents and bandits in the region.

According to him, “So, if we are serious about ensuring we have food and for food security to be attained in this country, we must provide the necessary infrastructure for all our key sectors to thrive well.

“This commission is needed. I commend you all for supporting this; no one said no. Everybody supported this idea. So, now we are pushing the Bill to the House of Representatives for their approval and then to Mr President for assent,” he said.