By Golok Nanmwa,Jos
North Central All Progressive Congress (APC) Forum on Monday canvassed support for the creation of the North Central Development Commission in order to accelerate the region’s advancement and to meet their development needs.
Speaking in Jos the Plateau State capital during his new year felicitation and 2024 blue print of the forum’s goals, the forum’s Chairman, Alhaji Saleh Mandung Zazzaga, said establishing the commission will not only make the challenges and other unfortunate security situation of the North Central region to be tackled, but will also enable the region to explore its full potentials, utilize same and occupy its pride of place in the nation.
Alhaji Zazzaga said the North Central region has great human and natural resources, and that it is a strong force to reckon with in terms of national politics, agriculture, education, mining and other mineral resources deposits.
He said even Abuja the nation’s capital is situated in the North Central, and so the region is a full force to reckon with, adding that the region has contributed to the growth of the country in many aspects, and that it still has many more to offer to the development of the nation if properly positioned.
That is why, he said, the APC forum is throwing its weight behind the Senator representing Plateau South Senatorial District and former Governor of Plateau State, Simon Lalong’s push for the creation of the North Central Development Commission.
He said according to Lalong who spoke recently on the floor of the Senate on the motion of urgent public importance moved by Senator Diket Plang (Plateau Central) on the Christmas eve attacks that left close to 200 people dead in Bokkos, Barkin Ladi and Mangu Local Government Areas of the state, he said unless the Government moves fast to stop the carnage and rebuild the lives and economy of the region, poverty and more insecurity will prevail.
He said the position of Senator Lalong on the argument for creating the North East Development Commission and also at the verge of creating the South East Development Commission, that of the North Central Development Commission to address the damage of insecurity in the region is equally valid.
Zazzaga called on all the stakeholders in the region to join hands and push for the actualization of the commission irrespective of political and other differences as the commission is for the benefit of all and sundry.
The Chairman also appreciated President Bola Tinubu for having the region close to his heart and has so far been relating with it in a cordial and sincere manner, adding that the president should do everything possible to see that the commission for the region is established, as any tangible gains recorded by the commission will also be a credit to his administration.
He urged the President to remain focused and continue doing his good works, as his leadership style is unique and will gradually take Nigerians to the ‘promise land’ with a full yield of the dividends of democracy.
