By Henry Umoru & Joseph Erunke
ABUJA- THE National Assembly has thrown out Kano and Plateau states from the proposed North East Development Commission this came as Senators from North West and North Central zones protested against the action.
It would be recalled that the senate while passing the Bill for an Act to establish North East Development Commission and other related matters had included the two states as beneficiaries of the commission against the backdrop that they have also been deeply affected by the action of the Boko Haram insurgents.
The removal of the two states was contained in the Conference Report presented by the Senate leader, Senator Ali Ndume.
Protesting the removal of Kano and Plateau states, Senator Kabiru Gaya, APC, Kano South stressed that the senate had earlier agreed to include Kano and
Plateau, and asked why it should be dropped, said ” this senate agreed to include Kano and Plateau state in the commission. We have lost over 500 people in Boko Haram , sabogeri is the largest market in Africa and we have lost 75 percent in the market. We have lost many things because of Boko Haram. ”
In his contribution , Sen Kabiru Marafa ( APC Zamfara) who faulted the recommendation of the joint committee, said that the recommendation be thrown away, insisting that the two states which were affected by the activities of Boko Haram be included in the commission, adding, “The recommendation of the committee should be thrown out. The North west had suffered Boko Haram and must be included in the commission”
Senate leader, Ndume who explained why the two states were removed, said that the commission is to coordinate the development and reconstruction of the area.
In his remarks, President of the senate, Bukola Saraki who appealed to his colleagues to accept the report of the committee, said that what was more important has to do with the commitment shown in the development of the area. http://www.vanguardngr.com/2016/12/senators-protest-as-nass-throws-out-kano-plateau-from-north-east-development-commission/
