….As Bill scales 2nd reading
The Senate Thursday passed for second reading , bills seeking for establishment of North West Development Commission.
This as the National Youth Service Corps Trust Fund Bill also passed second reading.
Passage of the two legislations for second reading by the Senate , were separately done after lead and general debates on them .
Leading debate on the proposed North West Development Commission ( NWDC) , the Deputy President of the Senate , Senator Jibrin Barau , who sponsored it , said the proposed commission when established , would serve as a catalyst to develop the arrays of potentials of the North West as well as address the gap in infrastructural development of the region.
He lamented that infrastructure of the zone has been immensely destroyed by the activities of the Boko Haram Insurgents, armed Bandits and Kidnappers across the region leading to the exodus of investors, businessmen, managers of companies and employees.
The destruction he posited , is having a major impact on the economy of the region as it has led to severe food shortages and unemployment in a region that has traditionally produced cash and food crops across the Sahel.
He added that some parts of the region are currently facing the problem of desertification which have led to making agriculture and other economic activities suffer thereby creating more poverty in the zone.
According to him, when established , the commission shall (a) . Formulate policies and guidelines for the development of the North West Zone where security shall prevail,, (b) To rebuild the road, medical, educational, social, agricultural and other infrastructures destroyed in the region by the activities of Boko-Haram Insurgents and Bandits;
“(C). Conceive, plan and implement, in accordance with the set rules and regulations, projects and programmes for the sustainable development of
the North West in the field of roads, education, health facilities, employment, industrialization, agriculture, housing and urban development, water supply, electricity and commerce;
” (D). To identify factors inhibiting the development of the region and assist the member States in the formulation and implementation of policies to ensure sound and efficient management of resources of the North West Zone;
“(E), Tackle ecological and environmental problems that arise from desertification problems and other related environmental challenges in the Zone’
“The enactment of this Bill will help to rebuild the North West Zone and shall provide the opportunity for the people of the Zone to display their talents and contribute immensely to the development of the country”, he stressed .
Similarly, Senator Yemi Adaramodu who sponsored the bill for NYSC Trust Fund , said the Trust Fund , would help in the area of financing of Skills acquisition and entrepreneurship for youth coopers as start up capital and invariably , helped in making Youth Coopers after National Service to be employers of labour and not just job seekers .
