The recent passage of the North-Central Development Commission Establishment Bill into law by the the Senate has garnered public praise, and commendation for its potential to significantly enhance socio-economic development in the North-Central region of the country. The North Central People’s Forum (NCPF) expressed satisfaction with the passage of the Bill, describing it as a highly laudable landmark. NCPF stated that the Bill has come at a crucial time to aid the rapid socio-economic development of the North-Central zone of Nigeria, which has experienced significant setbacks and neglect in the past.
A statement by the National Chairman of NCPF, Engr. Sani Ndanusa, noted that North Central states, made up of Plateau, Nassarawa, Kogi, Benue, Niger, Kwara, and Federal Capital Territory, were naturally endowed with arable land for agriculture, huge solid mineral deposits, oil and gas, long stretch of Rivers Niger and Benue, as well as huge potential tourism with beautiful and attractive sites such as Zuma rock, waterfalls and forest reserves, found in several locations in the zone. “In spite it’s huge potentials, the North central zone has remained largely underdeveloped due to insecurity problems that has bedeviled its land scape, such as farmer/herders’ clashes, banditry/kidnapping, flood disaster, etc.
which has hindered its people from engaging in productive economic activities, such as farming and trading. “Similarly, as a result of constant violent killings due .
