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KACRAN urges NEDC, North-East governors to partner on jobs, agriculture, resource development
By Philippine Duru
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The National President of KACRAN, Hon. Khalil Mohd Bello, made the call in a statement, saying such a partnership would help consolidate peace, strengthen the regional economy and reduce the vulnerability of unemployed youths to criminal activities.
Bello commended NEDC for what he described as its contributions to the reconstruction and development of the North-East, particularly in infrastructure, education, skills acquisition and support for communities affected by insurgency.
According to him, NEDC has reconstructed and built schools, houses and public offices, while also undertaking road, drainage, bridge and culvert projects across the region.
He said the Commission had also trained thousands of teachers and residents in various skills as part of efforts to promote self-reliance and economic recovery.
KACRAN, Bello said, had benefited from some of NEDC’s programmes, particularly those relating to livestock development, including the provision of potable water for pastoral communities, animal feeds and palliatives for internally displaced persons.
He urged NEDC to build on its reconstruction efforts by shifting greater attention towards establishing a strong economic foundation for the region.
“KACRAN urgently calls on NEDC to partner with North-East Governors for massive job creation, agricultural revolution and exploration of natural resources,” he said.
On job creation, Bello said millions of people in the region, including graduates of universities and other tertiary institutions, were in need of employment opportunities.
He argued that creating jobs for the population would not only improve livelihoods but also provide young people with productive alternatives to criminal activities.
The KACRAN leader also called for an agricultural revolution covering crop production, livestock and fisheries.
He said developing the sectors would strengthen food security, increase agricultural exports and reduce Nigeria’s dependence on imported food products.
Bello proposed that NEDC should provide technical expertise and financial support, while the North-East governors would provide land and security for large-scale agricultural projects.
He said the North-East, being a major source of livestock and fishery products in Nigeria, had the potential to become a major agricultural production hub if the necessary investments were made.
On natural resources, the association said the region was endowed with substantial mineral and other resources that could be explored, processed locally and exported to generate revenue and create employment.
KACRAN further urged NEDC to work with the governors as part of broader efforts to revive the region’s economy and improve regional security.
The association also expressed the hope that development commissions in other geopolitical zones would adopt similar approaches to economic development, following the establishment of development commissions across several regions.
Bello commended NEDC for its reported procurement of 10,000 buses, including luxury and 18-seater buses, taxis and tricycles, aimed at improving transportation services in the North-East.
He praised the Managing Director of NEDC, Alhaji Mohammed Goni Alkali, the Director of Administration and Finance, Dr. Garba Iliya, other directors and staff of the Commission for their efforts toward the development of the region.
KACRAN wished the management continued success in its development initiatives across the North-East.