According to a report by DAILY POST, the Nigerian Senate has passed into law the bill establishing the North Central Development Commission (NCDC).
The bill, which was sponsored by Senate Minority Leader Abba Moro, was signed into law on Thursday after months of deliberation.
The NCDC bill was first introduced in the Senate on October 5, 2023 and went through second reading on February 21, 2024 before being approved following a public hearing.
On Thursday, the Senate passed the bill after the Senate Committee on Special Duties submitted a favorable report.
In arguing for the general principles of the bill, Moro stated that the NCDC "would be saddled with the responsibility of receiving and managing funds from the Federal Government and donors for the resettlement, rehabilitation, integration and reconstruction of roads and among others" in the North Central region.
The North Central region encompasses the states of Kogi, Niger, Benue, Kwara, Plateau, Nasarawa, and the Federal Capital Territory of Abuja.
The passage of the bill followed adoption of the report of the Senate Committee on Special Duties submitted during plenary.
The Deputy Senate President, Barau Jibrin, who presided over the plenary congratulated Moro and all those who contributed to the success of the Bill.
Jibrin went on to express optimism that President Bola Tinubu will quickly assent to the bill, paving the way for the NCDC to begin its important work.