Borno State Governor, Prof. BabaganaUmaraZulum has called on the North East Development Commission (NEDC) to prioritise embarking on tangible projects that can provide lasting benefits and boost infrastructural development across the six states of the northeast region.

The governor made the call on Tuesday at the Government House when he received the expanded management and board of the NEDC led by the State Minister of Regional Development, UbaMaigariAhmodu.

Zulum listed security, Dry Inland Ports, African Intercontinental Free Trade Zone, independent electricity supply, and road networks as some of the key priorities for the northeast.

He said: “I think the time has come for us to prioritise our projects. We have gone into more than 50% of the lifespan of the NEDC. I am not saying that NEDC will collapse. What I mean by lifespan is the funding window allocated to the commission according to the act that established it.

“So, let’s come up with what we can do to get maximum benefit from establishing the commission.

“Other commissions have come on board; we cannot afford to perform below them. This time around, we must have a yardstick. Otherwise, not only the minister, the chairman of the House Committee, or the MD, but all of you are from the northeast; a time will come when we will call you out that there is nothing tangible to show within your tenure.”

Zulum, however, assured the minister and the NEDC management of the governors’ commitment within the Northeast to support the commission in achieving its mandate.

The governor also commended the North East Development Commission for supporting the state with humanitarian aid, school projects, and other programmes that positively affect the lives of the people of Borno.

Speaking earlier, the State Minister of Regional Development, UbaMaigariAhmodu, stressed the need for close collaboration with the North East Governors Forum to achieve the broader North East Stabilisation and Development Plan (NESDP).

The minister noted the Ministry of Regional Development will ensure adequate supervision of NEDC to achieve the need to rebuild and stabilise the northeast region after years of insurgency and economic disruption.

The delegation comprised the chairman of the House of Representatives Committee on NEDC, Hon. UsmanZannah, other committee members; the Chairman of the NEDC board, Major General Paul Tarfa (Rtd); the MD/CEO of the commission, Mohammed Alkali, and other senior management officials.