The Federal government has assured stakeholders in the northeast region that their views and contributions would be reflected in the proposed ten-year Development Master plan.
Minister of Humanitarian Affairs, Disaster Management and Social Development Hajiya Sadiya Farouq gave the assurance at the consultative meeting with Borno state stakeholders in Maiduguri.
The North East Stabilization and Development Master Plan is an all-inclusive roadmap for the rehabilitation, reconstruction, reconciliation and sustainable growth of the region.
Before the Boko Haram insurgency, North East is the least in human development index when compared with other regions of the country.
The crisis has further exercabate the situation resulting to over 3.3 million out of school children, increase infant and maternal mortality, weak infrastructure and high rate of unemployment.
To address this multitude of challenges, the North East Development Commission is developing a ten-year plan that will facilitate the physical and socio-economic development of the region.
The Minister of Humanitarian Affairs, Disaster Management and Social Development Hajiya Sadiya Farouq represented by Group Captain Sadeeq Shehu rtd. noted that the target of having a comprehensive plan cannot be achieved without the support of Borno and remaining five states government
Managing Director North East Development Commission NEDC Alhaji Mohammed Akali said the essence of having a diverse stakeholders is to harness their individual and collective inputs to enrich the process.
He charged stakeholders at the meeting to identify better ways of implementing the plan including funding windows.
“the discussion are expected to focus on implementation of the master plan when completed including its adaptability and funding windows, strategies to be adapted to ensure purposeful collaboration and cooperation ” Alkali noted
Borno state Governor Babagana Zulum represented by Secretary to the State Government Usman Jidda Shuwa said a high powered committee has been constituted by the state government to come up with inputs on the extent of physical and psychological trauma inflicted on people of the state.
“Without prejudice to the committee’s work, I will like to urge the Commission to look into the possibility of complementing government effort in developing and implementing viable and workable strategies on how best to address the current challenges posed by the thousands of repentant Boko Haram members who are currently being camp in the state capital” Zulum said.
The event was attended by government agencies, traditional, religious and opinion leaders, civil society organisations as well as women and youth groups.
Cov/Dauda Iliya
