Pathway to Progress: NEDC Nears Completion of Multi-Billion Naira Road Project in Borno”
In a significant development for Borno State, the North East Development Commission (NEDC) is on the verge of completing a monumental N13.6 billion road project that promises to revitalise the infrastructure and economy of six communities devastated by conflict.
The residents of these communities, who had to flee their homes in 2014 due to attacks, have been living as internally displaced persons (IDPs) in Maiduguri camps for over six years. The completion of this 50-kilometre road, primarily serving the Jere Local Government Area, marks a beacon of hope for the IDP returnees.
Hon. Usman Zannah, the NEDC House Committee Chairman, confirmed the project’s near completion during an oversight visit. “Our inspection of the completed and ongoing projects is a testament to our commitment to delivering the dividends of democracy,” stated Zannah, who represents the Kaga/Gubio/Magumeri federal constituency.
The road, completed in two phases, will serve the communities of Ngwom, Koshebe, Galamari, Dusman, Gongolong, and Zabarmari. This infrastructure is not just a route of travel but a symbol of resilience for the locals, especially recalling the tragic loss of over 45 rice farmers to terrorist attacks in November 2020.
In addition to the road, the NEDC has distributed 500 water pumps and 200 cartons of herbicides to bolster food security and support the livelihoods of farmers in the Jere Bowl of the Chad Basin.
The committee’s visit also included inspections of the Alau Dam irrigation project and a health project at the University of Maiduguri Teaching Hospital, reflecting the Commission’s broader commitment to the region’s development.
Mohammed Alkali, the Commission’s Managing Director, highlighted the completion of the 49.5-kilometre road and noted that three other projects are expected to be commissioned by year’s end. Alkali appealed for increased support and funding from the National Assembly to bring these vital projects in the agriculture, water, and health sectors to fruition.
As the NEDC forges ahead with these initiatives, the communities of Borno look forward to a future where the scars of the past give way to the foundations of a thriving society.
