Abuja: The Chairman, Senate Committee on the North Central Development Commission (NCDC), Sen. Titus Zam (Benue North-West) has called on the commission to prioritise agriculture and rural development. Zam said this is to accelerate economic growth and improve the living conditions of people across the zone.
According to News Agency of Nigeria, the statement was made after a closed-door meeting with the management of the commission. Zam noted that the committee had reached an agreement with the commission’s management on timelines for implementing developmental programs. He emphasized that the meeting was productive and stated that the members of the committee resolved to ensure their activities aligned with the commission’s statutory mandate.
Zam disclosed that the federal government had commenced monthly funding for the commission. While acknowledging that the allocations were below expectations, he noted that there is always a gap between desires and reality. The committee and management agreed to prudently utilize available funds to ensure measurable results, aiming for clear deliverables consistent with the commission’s mandate.
The committee plans to initiate oversight visits, starting with the commission’s headquarters before touring the North-Central states, to assess ongoing and proposed projects. Zam stressed the importance of effective service delivery to justify the confidence vested in the commission and expressed the need to not disappoint President Bola Tinubu.
On the issue of funding, Zam mentioned that the commission currently received N2.9 billion monthly, which he described as inadequate for its responsibilities. Despite the commission’s N140 billion budget, the current monthly allocation is insufficient to meet funding needs. However, Zam expressed optimism for additional funding in the future, appreciating the President for the initial take-off package.
The committee advised the commission to focus on agriculture, mining, security, and rural infrastructure, considering the North-Central’s vast agricultural potential. With fertile land and favourable conditions for farming, agricultural development is a priority. Zam also highlighted mining as a critical sector needing intervention, urging the commission to support sustainable mining and collaborate with security agencies to address insecurity in the zone.
Zam called for the commission to publicly reveal its development blueprint to enable public monitoring and assessment of progress. He expressed satisfaction with the meeting’s outcome and reiterated the committee’s commitment to supporting the commission.