The Minister of Regional Development, Abubakar Momoh, has warned regional development commissions not to commence new projects until existing ones are completed.

He also warned against duplication of efforts and inter-agency rivalry among the development commissions.

The minister issued the warning in Benin at the opening of a two-day sectoral retreat for the ministry’s leadership team, boards, and management of the seven regional development commissions, as well as National Assembly members, with the theme: ‘Fresh ideas to unlock the potential of the region’.

While reminding the regional development commissions about why President Bola Tinubu established an additional development commission, Abubakar said: “This bold initiative is not anchored on geo-political considerations but on a strategic commitment to geo-spatial development, recognising the need for a multi-sectoral, area-based, and spatially targeted approach to serve as a catalyst for regional economic and social transformation.

“One of the recurring challenges we face is duplication of efforts, uncompleted projects, and inter-agency rivalry. This has to stop. New projects must only commence when existing ones are substantially completed and assessed for impact.”

The minister urged the regional development commissions to prioritise roads, bridges, transportation links, investments, healthcare delivery, security, digital infrastructure, and youth/women’s empowerment, and to work towards a common national objective: equitable and sustainable development that leaves no citizen behind.

Beyond the focus areas, according to him, the commissions must also explore the possibility of establishing centres of excellence in the healthcare delivery system and other fields of human endeavour.

We must invest decisively in critical infrastructure, physical and digital, to ensure seamless connectivity and accessibility across and within regions.”

Abubakar, who said the retreat is not just another meeting but a significant milestone in reaffirming the shared responsibility to transform regions into zones of prosperity, peace, and opportunity, disclosed the ministry’s plan to introduce a peer-review system among the commissions, fostering healthy competition and continuous improvement.