Urgent Appeal for the Creation of North Central Development Commission

A collective of Civil Society Organisations in Plateau State has issued a formal plea for the establishment of a North Central Development Commission to address the profound impact of prolonged communal conflicts in the region.
The Transition Committee chairmen of the 17 local government areas in Plateau State have publicly denounced the assaults on three local government areas during the Christmas Eve festivities.
Addressing members of the press in Jos, Plateau State, Rev Chris Damcher, Chairman of the Plateau CSOs forum, stressed the urgent necessity for united action to counter the recurrent killings and destruction of properties in the region.
Rev Damcher conveyed deep apprehension regarding the surge in violence and killings in Plateau, denouncing the attacks as barbaric and cowardly. He underscored that the recent assaults resulted in numerous casualties, injuries, and extensive destruction, lamenting the profound impact on the lives and economy of the region.
The CSOs also deplored the inadequacy of security forces to act on early warning signals, highlighting the frequent dissemination of information about potential attacks via social media.
They emphasized the fundamental need for proactive measures by security operatives to thwart and prevent such attacks from occurring, stressing the significant ramifications of the assaults on various facets of society, including education, healthcare, food security, and livelihoods.
In addition, the Transition Committee chairmen of the 17 local government areas condemned the attacks and called for unified efforts to identify and apprehend those responsible for the tragic incidents.
The chairmen commended the support of Governor Caleb Manasseh Mutfwang and President Bola Ahmed Tinubu in collaboration with the Nigerian Army to uphold security. They also acknowledged the commitment of the Chief of Army Staff, Lieutenant General Taoreed Lagbaja, and the Commander Operation SAFE HAVEN, Gen. Abdulsalami Abubakar, in addressing security challenges in Plateau.
Moreover, they expressed appreciation for the prompt visit of Vice President Kashim Shettima and National Security Adviser, Nuhu Ribadu, to the affected areas on the Plateau.
The urgent plea for the establishment of a North Central Development Commission underscores the compelling need to address the devastating impact of communal conflicts and ensure the security and well-being of the people in the region. It is imperative for government authorities and relevant stakeholders to take decisive action to address these critical issues and work towards sustainable peace and development in the North Central geopolitical zone.