The Chairman of the Plateau State Traditional Council of Chiefs and Emirs, His Royal Majesty Da Jacob Gyang Buba, Gbong Gwom Jos, has commended President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for signing the bill establishing the North-Central Development Commission (NCDC).
Speaking in Jos, the traditional ruler emphasized the importance of unity, equitable representation, and development-focused leadership for the success of the new commission.
Da Jacob Gyang Buba urged that appointments to the commission’s board be inclusive and representative of all North-Central states.
He stressed that those entrusted with leadership roles must prioritize the commission’s core mandate—development across the zone.
He appealed to the people of the region to cooperate in ensuring that the commission’s benefits are equitably distributed.
The monarch highlighted the need for the federal government to tackle the pressing issues of insecurity, banditry, and kidnappings, which have hampered development and agricultural productivity in the region.
He also raised concerns over illegal mining activities, which have resulted in environmental degradation, loss of lives, and increased criminal activities.
Da Jacob Gyang Buba called for urgent federal intervention on the dilapidated road from Akwanga through Jos to Bauchi and Gombe.
He praised the Federal Government for the Makurdi-Lafia-Akwanga-Abuja road project but stressed the need to address the neglected Akwanga-Jos-Bauchi-Gombe route.
“The road has been a subject of discussion for too long. Many people are forced to travel by air for journeys that should take just 25 minutes by road due to the poor state of the road. This unnecessarily increases travel costs and impedes economic activities,” he lamented.
The traditional ruler expressed optimism that with the establishment of the NCDC, pressing infrastructure issues would be addressed, enhancing connectivity and fostering economic development in the North-Central region.
His remarks underscore the critical role of inclusive development strategies and government intervention in addressing the region’s challenges.