Prime 9ja Online dey report say Naija Senate don pass bill wey go establish North Central Development Commission (NCDC). Senator Abba Patrick Moro, wey be Senate Minority Leader and senator representing Benue South Senatorial District, sponsor de bill. De bill aim to address pressing issues for North Central region of Naija.
De NCDC Bill pass through first and second readings on October 5, 2023, and February 21, 2024, respectively. Senator Moro emphasize say de commission's primary mandate go include managing federal and donor funds to resettle victims of floods, farmer/herder clashes, and communal disputes. De commission also go oversee de reconstruction of infrastructure such as roads, houses, and business premises. De NCDC go focus on large-scale drainage projects, river dredging to control floods in Rivers Niger and Benue, and addressing poverty and illiteracy in North Central region.
De passage of de bill follow adoption of de report of de Senate Committee on Special Duties. Deputy Senate President Barau Jibrin, wey preside over plenary, congratulate Senator Moro and all those who contribute to de success of de bill. He express optimism say President Tinubu go assent to de bill for de overall development of North Central Nigeria, wey comprise Kogi, Niger, Benue, Kwara, Plateau, Nasarawa, and Federal Capital Territory, Abuja.
Senator Moro originally introduce de bill during de 9th Senate session, but e no receive presidential assent before de Senate's term expire. He reintroduce de bill in de current Senate, and e gain support from his colleagues.
De Senate also establish an ad-hoc committee to investigate all transactions related to de Mambila Hydroelectric Power Project (MHEPP) from 1999 to date. De decision follow motion titled "Urgent need to address de challenges of commencing de Mambila Hydroelectric Power Project" sponsored by Senator Manu Haruna, wey represent Taraba Central, and co-sponsored by 28 other senators.
For him lead debate, Senator Haruna note say Federal Government, through de Ministry of Power, sign contract in 2017 with consortium of Chinese contractors, including CGGC, SHC, and CGOC, to construct 3050 MW Hydroelectric Power Project in Taraba State. De contract be valued at $5.792 billion. Senator Haruna express concern over de contradictory information surrounding de project, wey he believe could hinder its successful implementation and de benefits e promise to bring to de people of Naija.
Supporting de motion, other senators highlight de importance of properly handling de project. Dem stress say for de project to proceed, e must receive de approval of President Bola Tinubu. Consequently, de Senate resolve say de Committees on Finance, Power, Water Resources, and Appropriation go investigate de matter and report back within four weeks.
Source: Prime 9ja Online Pidgin: Naija Senate Pass Law to Establish North Central Development Commission