Abuja:Regional development commissions are intended to partner with state and local governments, rather than compete with them, According to Minister of State for Regional Development, Uba Ahmadu.
According to News Agency of Nigeria, Ahmadu assured that the commissions aim to bridge development gaps without duplicating efforts. He emphasized that their establishment is meant to complement existing initiatives, with the ministry coordinating needs assessments and priority projects alongside state governors.
The Federal Ministry of Regional Development was created in October 2024 by President Bola Tinubu to oversee these commissions and develop policies for regional development. The ministry addresses regional challenges through coordinated interventions.
Ahmadu highlighted the origins of the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) and the North East Development Commission (NEDC), which address environmental and insurgency-related issues, respectively. Additional commissions have been established to meet the specific needs of Nigeria’s six geopolitical zones.
While the NDDC remains distinct, the other commissions share a common goal of improving living conditions across the country. The South-East Development Commission, for instance, focuses on industrialization and infrastructure, while the North-East addresses insurgency aftermath.
A policy document outlining regional development strategies has been developed and presented to the National Economic Council. It awaits approval by the Federal Executive Council and aims to guide the ministry’s activities, ensuring interventions reflect local needs.
Ahmadu reiterated that the commissions are meant to support state governments in taking development to the grassroots, aligning with President Tinubu’s social contract with the people.