The House of Representatives is expected to resume its legislative activities on Tuesday from the six weeks Christmas and New Year recess, with the presentation of a bill which seeks to establish the North West Development Commission. The bill being sponsored by Hon. In the bid to ensure adequate funding of the Commission, the bill proposed the allocation of 13% of revenue generation from the solid minerals explored and produced within the North West Zone; a sum equivalent to 3% of the annual Valued Added Tax (VAT) collection as First Line Charge, to accrue to the Commission for a period of 10 years, notwithstanding the provisions of any other law and 0.005% of the profit after tax of companies resident within the North West Zone of the Federation. ALSO READ: Reps seek additional powers for AMCON on loan recoveryAs stipulated in Part III of the proposed bill seen exclusively by Tribune Online, the Commission’s Headquarters shall be situated in Kaduna State and shall establish an office in each member state of the North West Zone. When passed into law, the Commission shall be responsible for the construction of the critical economic infrastructure in the Zone, including roads, railways, bridges, Ports, research institutions, housing estates, airports, primary, secondary and tertiary institutions, research institutes and hospitals/health care institutions.

Source: Nigerian Tribune January 26, 2020 18:56 UTC