Gombe Commissioner laments North-East IGR, says region least in Nigeria
Gombe State Commissioner for Finance and Economic Development Muhammad Magaji has lamented the economic fortunes of the North-East region, adding that a Master Plan will ensure sustainable options are explored.
Magaji explained that state like Lagos has monthly turn over of about N34 billion, the entire region consisting of Gombe, Bauchi, Adamawa, Yobe, Taraba and Borno delivers roughly about six billion naira.
He made this disclosure in his good will message while issuing the six point for technical discussion during state level consultation and engagement on the North-East Stabilisation and Development Master Plan (NESDMP) organised by North-East Development Commission (NEDC), in Gombe.
According to the Commissioner, “The region is doing six billion naira, while Lagos is doing 34 month billion naira monthly.
“If you look at that you will see there are issues for us to look at, how are we going to ensure that we move our Internally Generated Revenue to where it is sustainable and the point where it will fund our activities and relegate Federation Account Allocation Committee (FAAC), to the lower levels.”
Also Speaking, Managing Director of NEDC Mohammed Alkali, who was represented by the Omar Mohammed said the NESDMP would address development issues, adding that it would be hinged on 10 pillars.
Alkali said, “The proposed 10-year North-East Stabilisation Development Master Plan consists of 10 pillars. It will encompass the relevant aspect of development plans and policies of Gombe State Government and those of other partners.
“In this meeting, the progress made so far in the Master Plan project will be presented to stakeholders and their inputs solicited for inclusion in the plan.”
On his part, Governor Muhammadu Yahaya lauded the commission’s effort in adopting the state’s 10-year development plan.
Represented by Secretary to the State Government Prof. Ibrahim Njodi, Yahaya blamed the insurgency to what he termed existing clear gaps between the educated and uneducated.
The governor said, “As we all know, the North-East Development Commission is one of the numerous democracy dividends this sub-region is enjoying under President Muhammadu Buhari’s administration. The Commission was established in 2019 to facilitate the quick recovery and socio-economic development of this subregion following the devastation caused by the Boko Haram insurgency.
“Since inception, the Commission has recorded many laudable achievements especially in areas of humanitarian assistance, reconstruction and rehabilitation of communities affected by the war. However, to give this young commission a sound footing and ensure that it delivers on its statutory mandates, it is necessary to have a comprehensive master plan that will guide its future interventions.”