The Humanitarian Times

By Abdulkareem Haruna

The North-East Development Commission (NEDC) has commenced work on a 22.5km rural road project, expected to significantly boost transportation and farming in Borno State. The groundbreaking ceremony was performed by Nigeria’s Vice President, Kashim Shettima, in Ngwom village in Mafa.

This road network, stretching for 22.5km, will link Ngwom, Koshebe, Gongulon, Zabarmari, Khaddamari, Galameri, and Dusuman towns and villages. The areas are known for deep agricultural practices, particularly rice and vegetable cultivation. The road project is expected to ease the transportation of farm produce and enhance connectivity among these communities.

Goni Alkali, the Managing Director of the NEDC, stated that this road project is the initial phase of an ambitious infrastructure plan that will be replicated in the other five northeast states. 

“The NEDC is committed to improving the lives of the people in the northeast subregion, and this road project is a significant step towards that goal,” said Alkali. 

The ceremony was attended by governors from the six states, as well as members from both the National and State Houses of Assembly from the subregion. 

Vice President Shettima lauded the NEDC’s initiative, emphasizing that the road network will traverse the most fertile areas of Borno state. 

“When completed, these roads will ease the movement of farm produce from the fields to the markets, promoting economic growth and food security,” Shettima said. He also expressed hope that the NEDC would execute more road projects across the northeast subregion.

The NEDC will in the subsequent phases perform other  road projects in the region, including the 32km Dabna-Garkida Road in Adamawa State, the 53km Kirfi-Gombe Abba Road across Bauchi and Gombe States, and the 54km Mutai-Ngalda Road in Yobe State. 

Beyond road construction, the Commission is also implementing a variety of other infrastructural projects, such as mass housing, mega schools, and hospitals. These projects align with the Federal Government’s initiatives to address the critical infrastructural deficit and catalyze long-term socio-economic development, as outlined in the 11 Pillars of the North-East Master Plan.

The rural road project symbolizes the strides the Commission has been making towards the development of the northeastern region and is a testament to the commitment of the Nigerian government to uplift the standard of living and the economy in the rural areas.

Some of the local beneficiaries have hailed the initiative of the NEDC and Federal saying that their days of suffering is gradually coming to an end.