Jacob Gyang Buba, the Gbong Gwom Jos and Chairman of the Plateau State Council of Chiefs, has lauded President Ahmed Bola Tinubu for signing the bill establishing the North Central Development Commission (NCDC), describing it as a crucial step toward addressing the region’s longstanding challenges.
Speaking in Jos, Buba expressed gratitude to the governors of the North Central states and members of the National Assembly for their efforts in securing the bill’s passage, noting that the commission had been long anticipated by the people of the region.
The monarch emphasized the need for unity and fairness in appointments to the NCDC, stressing that those selected to lead the commission should be dedicated to the development of the entire North Central Zone.
“We appeal to everyone in the North Central to work together to ensure that the benefits of this commission are spread across the geopolitical zone. When it comes to appointments to the board of the commission, we urge that there should be a representative of the entire North Central. Those who will be entrusted with running the commission must always remember the purpose for which it was established,” he stated.
Buba further urged commission members to prioritize their core mandate of fostering development across the region.
While welcoming the creation of the NCDC, the Gbong Gwom Jos raised concerns about the persistent insecurity plaguing the region, including banditry and kidnappings. He urged the government to take decisive action against these threats, which have disrupted daily life and hindered economic growth.
The monarch also highlighted the environmental destruction caused by illegal mining in North Central Nigeria. He called on the government to crack down on unregulated mining activities, which not only degrade the land but also pose significant health and safety risks to local communities.
Additionally, Buba expressed alarm over the rising cases of child trafficking, particularly in Plateau State, and called for urgent measures to combat the growing menace.
Buba also made an impassioned plea for the rehabilitation of the Akwanga-Jos-Bauchi-Gombe road, which he described as being in a terrible state for years. He stressed that repairing the road would reduce travel delays, lower costs, and boost economic activities across the region.
With the establishment of the NCDC, the monarch expressed optimism that infrastructure projects, including road reconstruction, would be prioritised to facilitate development.
