July 04, (THEWILL) – The Nigerian Senate has passed the North Central Development Commission (NCDC) bill.
The upper chamber passed the bill after considering the report of its committee on special duties, presented by its Chairman, Kaka Shehu.
The Bill, which passed its first reading on October 5, 2023, and second reading on February 21, 2024, was championed by Senate Minority Leader and Senator representing Benue South Senatorial District, Abba Moro, and co-sponsored by all Senators from the North Central region.
Moro had said the NCDC would manage funds from the Federal Government and donors to support various initiatives, including “resettling victims of disasters like floods and communal clashes, rehabilitating infrastructure like roads, houses, and businesses, and constructing large-scale drainage systems”.
Additionally, the NCDC would focus on dredging the Rivers Niger and Benue for flood control. The commission is expected to also tackle poverty, illiteracy, and other environmental and developmental challenges plaguing the North Central region.
Deputy Senate President, Barau Jibrin, who presided over Thursday’s plenary session, congratulated Senator Moro and other lawmakers for their perseverance.
He expressed hope that President Bola Tinubu will sign the bill into law to pave the way for improved development in North Central Nigeria, which encompasses Kogi, Niger, Benue, Kwara, Plateau, Nasarawa, and the Federal Capital Territory.
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