Yobe State Governor Mai Mala Buni proffers  that the North East Stabilization and Development Masterplan (NESDMP) promoted by the North East Development Commission (NEDC) provides ample opportunity for the rehabilitation of the troubled North East from the destruction of Boko Haram insurgency.

He described the NESDMP, considered as an inclusive process, as having potentials for acceptable strategies for the rehabilitation of  not only Yobe State and but the entire the North East region.

The preparation of NESDMP like YOSERA (Yobe Socio-economic Reform Agenda) is being facilitated by key stakeholders such as State MDAs, traditional rulers, religious leaders, local councils, CSOs, development experts and practitioners, as well local and international partners.

The State wide consultation is therefore aimed at deepening local and community ownership of the development process thereby promoting inclusiveness, transparency and accountability in governance.

Buni, who was represented by the Secretary to the Yobe State Government, Baba Malam Wali at consultative meeting with Yobe State Stakeholders on the proposed North East Stabilization and Development Masterplan (NESDMP), appreciated President Muhammadu Buhari for establishing NEDC.

The MD/CEO,  NEDC, Mohammed Goni Alkali represented by the Executive Director Finance and Administration Mohammed Gashua assured that NESDMP would capture locally initiated projects and programs that would advance socio-economic and political development of Yobe State and the North East region.

Also speaking at the occasion, the Emir of Fika, Dr Muhammad Idrissa, appreciated the efforts of the federal government of Nigeria under President Muhammadu Buhari for establishing the North East Development Commission (NEDC) for the states affected by Boko Haram insurgency.

The Emir, who is the Chairman Yobe State Council of Traditional Rulers and Coordinator Northeast National Council of Traditional Rulers of Nigeria, stated: “It is necessary to inform this gathering that about 80 percent of Yobe population are agrarian who have over the years being thrown into total disarray by Boko Haram insurgency. They could not freely access their farmland and the already harvested and stocked ones were either looted or burnt to ashes.

“The impact of North East Development Commission (NEDC) is being felt by our community members, your interventions, especially in agriculture, is restoring hope on our people, we solicit for the timely and adequate supply of fertilizer and other agricultural inputs to boost the yield of our farmers.”

He added that: “The Commission can also intervene to reduce the menace of youth unemployment through the establishment of more skill acquisition centres and graduate them with starter packs.”