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The North East Development Commission (NEDC) has announced plans to float a regional airline.
It also disclosed that it would require approximately N100 million to improve the quality of electricity in the region.
The Managing Director of NEDC, Mohammed Goni Alkali, who addressed journalists yesterday in Abuja, explained that the commission’s plans align with the mandate of the Federal Government and the mission for which the commission was established.
According to him, the funds would come from counterpart funding, stressing that the initiative would ease travel within the region.
He also remarked that the establishment of the ₦30 billion NEDC–Bank of Industry (BOI) MSME Development Fund 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 said.
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He described healthcare as a cornerstone of the North East Development Commission’s commitment to improving the quality of life across the region.
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 generations.
Alkali maintained that one of the commission’s flagship 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 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 specialised 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.
