FG committed to Northeast development -Minister

Alhaji Uba Maigari, Minister of State for Regional Development, says the Federal Government is committed to fast-tracking development across the North East geopolitical zone.

The Minister, who stated this on Monday in Jalingo while interacting with reporters, said that President Bola Tinubu was aware of the region’s backwardness and was committed to changing the narrative

He said that the North East Development Commission (NEDC) has, within the last two years, executed various people-oriented projects across the six states in the region.

Maigari said that the insecurity that had plagued the region for nearly two decades had created major developmental challenges, which the president was working assiduously to address.

“Let us tell ourselves the truth. The bulk of the country’s security challenges have long been concentrated in the northeast.

“Naturally, you cannot make any meaningful development or progress under such an atmosphere. So what this administration has done is, first of all, tackle insecurity to a very large extent.

I recently completed a tour with the commission where we inspected, commissioned, and handed over projects to various State Governors across the region.

“I must say it is quite impressive. Mind you, this is just one agency. The Ministry is also working assiduously, and various ministries, such as works and education, are also handling other projects.

“We can all beat our chest and say that the region is on the path to massive infrastructural revolution.

“What I will urge the people to do is to give the government maximum support and take ownership of the projects that have been done for their good.

I will also call on our people to be bold enough to stand against our common enemies who are determined to leave the region in perpetual chaos.

“We must stand up to them by not harbouring them and reporting any suspicious activity to relevant security agencies,” he said.

Reacting to the perception of the possibility of a one-party country, the Minister described it as absurd, considering Nigeria’s diversity and population.

“Such notions can be entertained in very small countries, not a large country like Nigeria with diverse and massive populations.

“Nigeria can never be a one-party country. What we are currently witnessing is simply a vote of confidence in the president for his prudent management of the system and his ability to take bold decisions

As we speak, the changes are beginning to manifest, and even those who may not see them now may eventually agree that this was for the ultimate good of the country, “he said.

Culled from vanguard