The Federal Government, on Sunday, inaugurated the Governing Boards and Management Teams of the South-South, South-West, and North-Central Development Commissions, with a charge to deliver people-oriented projects in line with President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda.
The government urged the boards to rebuild trust in governance by embracing transparency, fairness, and inclusiveness, while collaborating with state governments, the private sector, and other stakeholders to fast-track regional growth.
Speaking during the inauguration at the Rotunda Hall in Abuja, Minister of Regional Development, Abubakar Momoh, stressed that the boards must align their programmes with the administration’s priority areas, including economic reforms, agricultural growth, energy and natural resource management, infrastructure renewal, education, health, and social welfare.
He noted that the ministry had already signed a performance bond with the President and would soon require the boards to sign similar commitments to guarantee accountability.
Momoh said: “The president has assigned presidential deliverables to the ministry that would contribute to the attainment of the federal government’s eight priorities, for which a performance bond had been signed with the President for effective implementation.
“The attainment of the deliverables is hinged on your performance to consolidate the efforts of the Ministry.”
He announced that the Ministry, in turn, will initiate the process to obtain their full commitment to the deliverables by signing a Performance Bond with them very soon.
“The inauguration signals hope to millions of people in the three regions that fall within their mandate, adding that as a succour to ordinary Nigerians in the regions, they should initiate projects and policies that are people-oriented and beneficial, as well as tailored towards accelerating the development of the three regions for equitable and balanced growth.
“This will only be attainable if you shun the impulses for embarking on unrealistic projects motivated by personal and selfish gains.
“Your role isn’t just about distributing funds or managing projects; it’s about rebuilding trust in governance by delivering results that truly improve lives. You need to ensure responsibility, careful planning, and inclusiveness in decision-making.
“Let your leadership embody fairness, transparency, and dedication to the people you serve,” the Minister charged, urging them to also promote collaborative engagement with the state governments in their respective regions, the organized private organizations, and other critical stakeholders towards generating new initiatives that will assist in delivering the targeted plans of positively transforming the region.”
In his remarks, the Minister of State for Regional Development, Uba Maigari Ahmadu, described the establishment of the commissions as a strategic move by President Tinubu to close developmental gaps, leverage regional advantages, and spur growth across the six geopolitical zones.
He said: “It is a strategic move by His Excellency, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR, to establish frameworks that address developmental gaps, leverage regional advantages, and create opportunities for growth across our six geopolitical zones.
“The mandate of these Commissions is clearly to act as catalysts for infrastructure renewal, social empowerment, and economic diversification within their respective regions.
“They are to serve as drivers of peace, stability, and sustainable development by tackling specific challenges, coordinating projects, and mobilizing stakeholders towards shared progress.”
He commended the Minister and Permanent Secretary, Dr. Mary Ada Ogbe, technical teams, and all stakeholders who worked tirelessly to ensure the success of the inauguration, ascribing it to the dedication and spirit of service that drives the Ministry.
Ahmadu said: “As we set these boards in motion, let us remember that regional development is not an end in itself but a means to strengthen our unity as a nation. The success of these Commissions will directly enhance the socio-economic stability of Nigeria.”
Also speaking, the Permanent Secretary of the ministry, Dr. Mary Ada Ogbe, praised President Tinubu’s vision and reaffirmed the ministry’s commitment to implementing his developmental agenda.
She noted that while four other commissions (NDDC, NEDC, SEDC, and NWDC) were already operational, the inauguration formally handed responsibility to the three new regional bodies.
The representative of the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Hon. Tajudeen Abbas, who was represented by Hon. Felix Uche Nwaeke, cautioned the boards against awarding frivolous contracts, advising them to only embark on projects that have direct benefits for ordinary Nigerians. He assured the commissions of the legislature’s full support.
Nwaeke said: “You should only carry out projects that you have enough funds to pay for and which have direct bearing on the ordinary Nigerian, assuring them of the full support and cooperation of the National Assembly in ensuring that development gets closer to the people.”
Also in attendance were the Secretary to the Nasarawa State Governor, Labaran Shuaibu Magani, Ph.D., representing the Governor of Nasarawa State, H.E. Governor Engr. Abdullahi Sule; Representative of the Plateau State Governor, Bar. Caleb Manasseh Muftuang; Engr. Danladi Mwantok; and Honourable Minister of Women Affairs and Social Development, Iman Ibrahim.
