By Peter Usman
Abuja (Nigeria) – A Chieftain of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) from the North Eastern part of the country ,Kudla Satumari has commended President Muhammadu Buhari Administration for creating North East Development Commission, NEDC, saying it is a welcome development for the people of the region and Nigeria in general.
in an interview with newsmen in Abuja, Satuari said the situation and condition of the people of the North East deserves a state of emergency to address infrastructure problems, resettlement and rehabilitation of the people among others.
He noted that activities of the insurgency in the region have greatly affected the people and the economy of the North East who are predominantly farmers, adding that the level of production has generally reduced to a great extent.
Satumari, who is also known as Haske, stated that diverstated infrastructures as a result of the activities of the insurgency which cut across the states in the region, such as schools, hospitals, police stations, telecommunications ,electricity and some of its installations that were destroyed by the activity of the insurgency need to be rehabilitated.
“Regarding to the signing of a bill creating North East Development Commission, it is a welcome development considering the fact that what requires for the growth and development of civil society were destroyed by the insurgency and the need for all these to be replaced is very necessary”
“We want to express our appreciations to Mr. President for creating the commission, we have seen consistently some of his policies regarding North Eastern Nigeria were to restore peace, law and order to the region and we hope that the reasons North East Development Commission is established will meet the aspirations of our people” he said.
Satumari who is also the Chief Executive Officer Aerokeys Nigeria Ltd. recommended that qualified people from the region be involved in the management team of the commission, stressing that the managers of the commission should first identify the problems as they affect the people of the region and therefore segment them into short, mid and long terms for better results.
He further advised that resettling and rebuilding the communities that were really affected by the insurgency should be the first priority of the commission before any developmental efforts are considered, maintaining that the people of the region need stability and sense of belonging to start life afresh.
On the youths who were allegedly forced into joining the group responsible for the situation in the North East, Satumari asserted that such people should be empowered into entrepreneurship and those who were traumatized by the situation should be psychologically rehabilitated.
On whether the appointment of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, SGF was a favour to the people of the region, Satumari said the appointment of the new SGF was a replacement of the former SGF and not a favour as some people might have said.
“First of all, the position was given to the North East and there was a situation that led to the removal of the former SGF, so it is only natural that a replacement be found from that region and we are pleased to have someone who is very qualified to replace the former SGF”
“No doubt, he will provide good leadership based on his wealth of experience and I don’t see it as a favour to the North East for this position to return to the same zone, from where it was initially selected and it is also a good thing that somebody was chosen based on merit and not on sentiment or party affiliation”
“We need to come together and put our best forward so that competence will be the guiding principle for any position that is being filled. Nigerians should focus on competence of those in positions and not where they come from” he advised.
