REMARK BY THE PRESIDENT OF SENATE, HIS EXCELLENCY SENATOR (DR.) ABUBAKAR BUKOLA SARAKI, DECLARING
OPEN THE PUBLIC HEARING ON THE NORTH EAST DEVELOPMENT COMMISSION BILL, 2016, MONDAY 9TH OF MAY, 2016.
Protocol:
1. It is my pleasure to be here with you today to declare open the public hearing on this very important bill, The North East Development Commission Bill, 2016.
2. Distinguished colleagues, our invited guests, it is very hard to under-estimate the importance of this bill. This is especially so, in the context of whatwe as a nation especially the North Eastern part of our country have gone through and endured in the last 7years. The North East has endured unprecedented pervasive brutality, satanic barbarism meted out against them; Christians and Muslims alike, young and old, men and women by the activities of Boko Haram.
3. For 7 years, innocent citizens of our dear country Nigeria suffered untold destruction of both privateand public properties worth billions of naira. In an orgy ofun-abating and indiscriminate attacks on the Nigerianstate and its circularity, they employed everythingdestructive to threaten our national security and socio-economic stability; maiming, bombing, attacking every institution that would help us remain a virile and united nation.
4. Distinguished colleagues, our invited guests, what we have witnessed in the North East demands special attention from all well meaning Nigerians, not just from government. We must all rise up and say never again. We have seen families wiped out, children orphaned, incomes plunged below a tenth of what they were a decade ago.
Families that have survived this onslaught, have largely survived with little to live by and now rely directly onhandouts for food rations. More than aquarter of
thechildren in this area are
either malnourished or in danger of malnourishment. Schools have become deserted and the social fabric of our
national unity severely
perforated in this area, threatening to create deep set divisions amongst us, fueling animosities amongst Muslims and Christians.Leading to the entire economy of the region bleedingprofusely.
5. It is in this unique and dire context that we must appreciate the importance and urgency for us as alegislature and government to act, to restore hope and rebuild the North East.
6. For us in the 8th National Assembly, this is more than a National priority; it reflects our mandate to make laws for the good governance, peace and security of the entire country. The effort at this bill therefore,
is aimed at creating the legislative framework to enable government provide the basic structures and capacities that will enable it rebuild the North East. It will alsoprovide an avenue for external collaborators such as international development agencies to make effective contributions towards the region; further ensuringinternal
stability, a base for restoration,
rehabilitation and conflict resolution. All the aforementioned arecrucial not only for the sustained futures of the people of the North East
but also for the country as a whole.
7. Ladies and gentlemen, this is a peculiar time in our history. Thankfully we can talk about rebuilding due to the remarkable bravery, patriotism and courage of our Armed Forces who continue to take the fight back to the Boko Haram who have now largely retreated to sporadic soft attacks. We are therefore here to show solidarity to their gallantry and act like leaders of a united and indivisible nation. However, we must not forget that this war against terrorism cannot be won by might but through the hearts and minds of citizens who are certain that they have a secure and guaranteed place within the fabric of our society and thus choose to live and act in harmony towards collective growth.Thus, in making a conscious, collective decision to focus development efforts in this region, we arefostering a strong sense of place and rebuilding a positive, shared identity.
8. Distinguished colleagues, our dear invited guests, it is my
firm hope that your contributions to this public hearing would further enrich the bill, deepen our discussion at Senate plenary and help provide us the missing links if any towards the process of giving back hope, belief and optimism to our people that wherever they may be, their welfare and security will remain the central purpose of government.
9. I urge you to make haste in bringing this Bill to pass. Every day we wait to take legislative action, we delay the opportunities that ought to abound within and from the North East.
10. I therefore enjoin all stakeholders in this publichearing to contribute
freely and fully to this Bill in order to help the Committee arrive at a more informed and conclusive decision.
11. On this note therefore, I now declare the Public Hearing open
12. God bless Nigeria.
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