The Senate has stepped down debate on the report of the committee for the establishment of North East Development Commission.

The Senate Committee on Special Duties, during proceedings on Tuesday, presented its report for the establishment of the commission.

Key deliberations by members of the upper legislature supported the establishment of the commission but they were divided on the location and funding of the commission.

Senator Usman Nafada, representing Gombe North Senatorial District, amongst others from the North-East zone disagreed on the location of the headquarters of the proposed NEDC.

Nafada lobbied for the headquarters to be in Gombe State being the central state of the North east.

“When you are talking about headquarters, I wonder why some people are talking about Maiduguri.

“This commission is not a military commission so you cannot say there is Air Force in Maiduguri or Bauchi. That is irrelevant to this bill. Gombe is the centre of the North East,” he said.

Consequently, Senate President Bukola Saraki constituted a 6-man committee with membership from the six geopolitical zones to make recommendations on the issues raised and report to the Senate in two weeks.

The situation of the north east, which has been badly affected by insurgency over the years, led to the initiation of a bill for the establishment of a North East Development Commission.

The move is seen by many as one that will address the rebuilding of the region.