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From Okwe Obi, Abuja
The North East Development Commission (NEDC) has announced arrangements to float a regional airline.
It also disclosed that it would need approximately N100 billion to improve the quality of electricity in the region.
The Managing Director, Mohammed Goni Alkali, who addressed journalists yesterday in Abuja, explained that the plans aligned with the mandate of the Federal Government and the mission establishing the commission.
According to him, the funds would come from counterpart funding, stressing that the initiative would ease traveling.
He said the establishment of the N30 billion NEDC–Bank of Industry (BOI) MSME was already yielding results. “Development fund to provide accessible financing, business development services and capacity-building support for micro, small and medium enterprises, particularly youth- and women-owned businesses.
“The fund is expected to stimulate entrepreneurship, strengthen local industries, create employment and accelerate inclusive economic growth across the region.”
He described healthcare as a cornerstone of the North East Development Commission’s commitment to improving the quality of life across the region.
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He added that in line with the Healthy Citizenry pillar of the North-East Stabilisation and Development Master Plan (NESDMP) and President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda, the Commission had made strategic investments to strengthen healthcare infrastructure, expand access to specialist medical services and build a resilient health system capable of serving future of generation.
Alkali maintained that one of the commission’s flagship intervention interventions was the procurement of eight state-of-the-art 1.5 Tesla Helium-Free MRI systems and other critical equipment for deployment across the six North-East states.
“Complemented by the ongoing procurement of CT Scan machines, digital X-ray systems, mammography equipment, dialysis machines and and other advanced diagnostic technologies, these investments will significantly improve access to specialised healthcare, reduce medical referrals outside the region and enhance the capacity of tertiary hospitals to deliver quality care.
“To ensure long-term sustainability, the Commission has established dedicated
MRI facilities, provided alternative power solutions, executed five-year maintenance agreements with equipment manufacturers and commenced specialized training for radiologists, biomedical engineers and technical personnel to guarantee continuous operation and local capacity development.
“The Commission is also investing in specialist healthcare institutions, including the comprehensive upgrade of the Borno Eye Hospital into a modern ophthalmic centre and the establishment of a fully equipped Fertility Centre at the University of Maiduguri Teaching Hospital (UMTH). These facilities will provide advanced medical services.”
He warned contractors that substandard projects would not be paid for.
