On Thursday, the Senate approved the North West Development Commission (NWDC) bill, which aims to tackle the various challenges faced by the seven states in the North West geopolitical zone.
This approval followed the review and acceptance of a report from the Committee on Special Duties regarding the establishment of the NWDC.
The bill, which successfully passed its third reading, was introduced by the Deputy President of the Senate, Barau Jibrin, along with support from 20 other senators representing the seven states in the North West region.
Senator Shehu Kaka, the Chairman of the Committee on Special Duties who represents Borno Central, initiated the motion for the report’s presentation and review.
He stated that the bill is carefully designed to promote socio-economic development in the North West geopolitical zone. Senator Kaka emphasized that the creation of the commission would enhance the Federal Government’s presence and responsiveness to the needs and desires of the people in the North Western states.
The establishment of the NWDC follows the creation of similar bodies like the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) and the North East Development Commission (NEDC).
The NEDC was formed in response to the extensive damage inflicted on the North East by Boko Haram insurgents. Additionally, there are ongoing efforts to set up the South East Development Commission to address the needs of that region.