On Thursday, the Senate passed the measure establishing the North Central Development Commission, NCDC, which was sponsored by Senator Abba Patrick Moro of the Benue South Senatorial District and Senate Minority Leader, as well as other senators from North Central Nigeria.
Senator Moro sponsored the bill, which passed first and second readings on October 5, 2023 and February 21, 2024, respectively, but was unable to obtain presidential approval before the 9th Senate expired.
Senator Moro had argued in his lead debate that once established, the commission would be in charge of receiving and managing funds from the federal government and donors for the resettlement, rehabilitation, integration, and reconstruction of flood victims’ roads, houses, and businesses.
He also stated that it would address farmers-herder clashes, communal clashes, the construction of large-format drainage systems, the dredging of the Niger and Benue rivers to control floods, and other issues, as well as the threat of poverty, illiteracy, and other related environmental or developmental challenges confronting North Central Nigeria.
The bill was passed following the adoption of the Senate Committee on Special Duties’ report, which was submitted at plenary.
Senator Barau Jibrin, Deputy Senate President, presided over the session and complimented Senator Moro and everyone who helped make the bill a success.
He expressed confidence that President Tinubu will support the bill for the entire development of North Central Nigeria, which includes Kogi, Niger, Benue, Kwara, Plateau, Nasarawa, and the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja.
