Yobe State rallies support for North East Development masterplan

Yobe State government has thrown its total support behind the North East Stabilisation and Development Masterplan (NESDMP).

The plan will lead to a comprehensive overhaul and rebuilding of the region that has been destroyed by almost two decades of Boko Haram insurgency.

The state government’s position in support of the NESDMP was disclosed by the Secretary to the State Government, Alhaji Baba Wali, at a consultative meeting with the stakeholders of the state on the proposed NESDMP promoted by the North East Development Commission (NEDC).

The meeting was attended by representative of the NEDC’s Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer, Mohammed Alkali and the Emir of Fika, Dr. Muhammad Idrissa.

Speaking on the master plan, Mohammed Alkali, NEDC Chief Executive who was represented by the Executive Director Finance and Administration, Mohammed Gashua noted that the preparation of NESDMP was facilitated by key stakeholders such as state MDAs, traditional rulers, religious leaders, local councils, CSOs, development experts and practitioners, as well local and international partners.

He added that the statewide consultation “is aimed at deepening local and community ownership of the development process thereby promoting inclusiveness, transparency and accountability in governance.”

Alkali further said that the NESDMP would capture locally initiated projects and programs that would advance socio-economic and political development of Yobe State and the North East region.

Also speaking, Idrissa, Fika’s traditional ruler, appreciated the Federal Government for establishing the NEDC for the states affected by Boko Haram insurgency.

The monarch, who is also Chairman, Yobe State Council of Traditional Rulers and Coordinator Northeast National Council of Traditional Rulers of Nigeria, said: “It is necessary to inform this gathering that about 80 percent of Yobe population are agrarian who have over the years being thrown into total disarray by Boko Haram insurgency.

“They could not freely access their farmland and the already harvested and stocked ones were either looted or burnt to ashes.

“The impact of NEDC is being felt by our community members. Your interventions, especially in agriculture, are restoring hope to our people. We solicit for the timely and adequate supply of fertilisers and other agricultural inputs to boost the yield of our farmers.

“The Commission can also intervene to reduce the menace of youth unemployment through the establishment of more skill acquisition centres and graduate them with starter packs.”