President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has inaugurated the Southeast and Northwest Development Commissions governing boards, marking a significant step toward addressing regional disparities and fostering inclusive growth in Nigeria.
At the inauguration in Abuja, Minister of Regional Development Abubakar Momoh described the commissions as transformative platforms for harnessing regional resources to drive development.
He praised President Tinubu’s vision and the National Assembly for swiftly passing the enabling bill.
“These commissions will help address regional disparities, promote economic growth, and improve the quality of life for citizens,” Momoh said.
Momoh outlined key focus areas: infrastructure development, economic diversification, job creation, education, security, and climate adaptation.
The Southeast Development Commission will prioritise industrialisation and trade, while the Northwest Development Commission will focus on boosting agricultural productivity, enhancing security, and reducing the number of out-of-school children.
Momoh emphasised financial prudence and transparency, urging board members to manage resources responsibly and implement impactful, needs-driven projects.
He also highlighted the importance of climate-resilient development to combat desertification and erosion.
“Financial prudence and transparency are non-negotiable. The resources entrusted to you must be managed with the highest standards of integrity,” he stated.
The minister also stressed the need for collaboration with state governments, private sector players, and development partners.
He assured Nigerians that the Ministry of Regional Development would closely monitor the commissions’ activities for effective governance.
The minister of state for regional development, Uba Maigari Ahmadu, underscored the commissions’ importance in delivering the Renewed Hope Agenda.
“These commissions will spearhead critical infrastructure projects to catalyse economic growth and uplift the quality of life of our people,” Ahmadu said.
Chairman of the Senate Committee on Southeast Development Commission, Senator Orji Uzor Kalu, commended the president for the appointments, urging the commissions to adopt innovative approaches.
“Tarring roads is no longer fashionable. What is fashionable is building railway stations, power plants, and cottage industries that provide jobs,” Kalu said.
Similarly, the chairman of the Senate Committee on Northwest Development Commission, Senator Babagida Husseini, assured the commissions of the Senate’s oversight role while commending President Tinubu’s strategic selection of competent board members.
“We will chase the money, prepare your budget, and ensure Nigerians get value for every naira spent,” Husseini stated.
The SEDC Governing Board Chairman, Dr Emeka Wogu, expressed gratitude for the commission’s establishment and promised high-impact projects that would uplift communities in the Southeast.
“Our goal is to contribute to the overall development of the region through impactful, high-value projects that create jobs,” Wogu pledged.
The chairman of the NWDC Governing Board, Lawal Samaila Abdullahi, emphasised regional collaboration, stating that the commission would seek partnerships for coordinated development strategies.
The managing director of SEDC, Mark Okoye, highlighted the historical significance of the commission’s establishment.
“We can only pay back this trust through delivery, hard work, and impactful projects,” Okoye assured.
Managing Director of NWDC, Prof. Abdullahi Shehu Ma’aji, pledged to harness the Northwest’s resources to promote growth and improve living conditions.
“Our mandate is clear: promote economic growth, improve infrastructure, and enhance the quality of life for our citizens,” Ma’aji said.
The event concluded with a renewed commitment to transparency, innovation, and impactful governance. Stakeholders called for collaboration with development partners to advance the commissions’ mandates and foster sustainable growth.
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