Funding, location of headquarters stall passage of North East Development Commission bill

Sources of funding and location of headquarters have stalled the final passage of the North East Development Commission (NEDC) bill by the Senate.

This was even as the clause recommending 5percent of total revenue made from Value Added Tax (VAT) of the Federation as its source of funding sharply divided the senators.

Though the joint committee that worked on the bill did not indicate where the headquarters of the proposed commission should be cited as presented by its Chairman, Abdulazeez Nyako (APC, Adamawa Central), disagreement ensued among senators from the zone when Aliyu Wakili (APC, Bauchi South), submitted that Bauchi should be made the headquarters of the Commission.

In his contribution, James Manager (PDP, Delta South) said there was no clear cut mode of funding, noting that the Commission was going to be a full fledged administrative structure that requires adequate funding.

He advocated adequate funding so that the intention of the Commission would not be defeated.

On his part, Abubakar Garba (APC, Borno Central) explained that Borno State was the epicentre of Boko Haram crises, hence it was appropriate that the headquarters of the proposed Commission be located in Maiduguri.

On the other hand, Senate Leader, Ali Ndume described as unnecessary debate on the floor of the Senate on the location of the headquarters and source of funding of the Commission.

He suggested that Forum of Senators from North East ought to have agreed at their level before bringing the issue to the floor so as to reduce controversy on the issue.

In his remarks, Senate President Bukola Saraki appointed each senator from the six geopolitical zones to re-examine the mode of financing the Commission as well as where the headquarters of the Commission will be located.

Senators appointed into the Committee are: Sam Egwu (PDP, Ebonyi North) Chairman; Tayo Alasoadura (APC, Ondo Central); Emmanuel Paulker (PDP, Bayelsa Central); Murtala Nyako (APC, Adamawa Central); Aliyu Wammako (APC, Sokoto North) and Dino Melaye (APC, Kogi West).

 

OWEDE AGBAJILEKE