By Augustine Ehikioya
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has directed the timely release of funds to all Regional Development Commissions.
He also warned their boards and managements against corruption, waste and white elephant projects.
The President gave the directive in Abuja on Monday while declaring open the first North Central Stakeholders Development Summit organised by the North Central Development Commission, NCDC.
He was represented by the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Sen. George Akume.
Tinubu, in a statement by Yomi Odunuga, Special Adviser on Media and Publicity to SGF, said the Federal Government will continue to provide political and financial backing to the commissions to enable them execute projects that will unlock the economic and industrial potential of the country.
“Government will continue to give the NCDC and other Regional Development Commissions the political and financial backing to embark on key projects that will unlock the economic and industrial potentials of the nation,” he said.
“I therefore direct the Secretary to the Government of the Federation to ensure that all funds accruable to the Commissions are released as and when due.”
The President however urged the commissions not to depend solely on government funding, and to explore public-private partnerships, donor funding and development financing.
Tinubu said the creation of the Regional Development Commissions is part of the Renewed Hope Agenda to accelerate development and close longstanding gaps.
“Rather, it is our way of looking at why development gaps still exist and trying to close them up for the benefit of our people,” he stated.
He listed priority sectors to include roads, rail, air transportation, industrialisation, security, investment, human capital development, education and health.
The President warned the commissions to develop clear, concise, attainable and fundable programmes.
“The era of white elephant projects is over and there is no excuse for the Commissions to become another conduit for wasting public funds,” he said.
He charged the Ministry of Regional Development to ensure the commissions operate within the Regional Development Policy Document, while the legislature provides necessary oversight.
Tinubu warned boards and managements against corruption, marginalisation, politicisation and ethnicisation of government operations.
“Such actions will not be tolerated and government will not hesitate to sanction anyone found culpable,” the President warned.
On the North Central region, Tinubu said it has enormous potential in agriculture, food production, agro-processing, solid minerals, industrial development, peace and security, but has “operated below its potential for too long.”
He acknowledged security challenges in the region and said government has intensified surveillance, established more formations, deployed personnel, increased prosecution, and supported dialogue and reconciliation.
He urged the NCDC to complement these efforts, stressing that “development can only take place in an atmosphere of peace and security.”
