North Central Devt Commission To Prioritise Agricultural Transformation

The North Central Development Commission (NCDC) has resolved to pursue the development of the region anchored on areas that touch the lives of the people.

The decision was reached at the end of its two-day retreat in Lafia, the Nasarawa State capital.

The participants agreed to pursue agricultural transformation as the main pillar of regional development through value chain enhancement, mechanisation and access to markets as well as the provision of rural/feeder roads.

To this end, the commission agreed to support agribusiness incubation centres and promote agro-industrial clusters in the states of under its jurisdiction.

The retreat’s resolution was contained in a communique signed by the NCDC managing director/CEO, Dr. Cyril Tsenyil; board chairman, Barr. Cosmos Akighir and Mrs Priscilla Ankut, deputy team lead, SPRING Programme, respectfully.

It also resolved to work with state governments and the Federal Ministry of Solid Minerals to ensure sustainable and responsible mining practices.

The commission noted that initiatives will be undertaken to develop community-based mining cooperatives and strengthen local beneficiation processes.

There was also a consensus on engagement of youths, women and other vulnerable groups where the Commission shall design inclusive empowerment programmes targeting youths, women, and persons with disabilities to enhance skills, entrepreneurship, and leadership participation.

In this wise, it said a regional youth innovation hub will be established to promote creativity, digital skills, and job creation.

It acknowledged that insecurity remains a major obstacle to the region’s socioeconomic transformation, as recurrent violent conflicts, armed banditry and farmer-herder crises have disrupted livelihoods, displaced communities and hindered investment.

The commission, therefore, resolved to collaborate with traditional institutions, community leaders, and security agencies to promote peacebuilding and conflict prevention mechanisms that will promote and develop community resilience, while special attention will be given to post-conflict rehabilitation and reintegration initiatives across affected communities, amongst other decisions.

LEADERSHIP reports that the retreat was hosted in collaboration with Strengthening Peace and Resilience in Nigeria (SPRING), a programme funded by the Foreign Commonwealth Development Office (FCDO) and managed by Tetra Tech International Development, Nextier, Centre for Humanitarian Dialogue (HD) and Centre for Democracy and Development (CDD).