President Bola Tinubu on Monday directed the immediate and timely release of all funds due to the Regional Development Commissions, while warning their boards and managements against corruption, waste and the execution of projects that do not directly benefit citizens.
The President gave the directive while declaring open the maiden North Central Stakeholders Development Summit organised by the North Central Development Commission in Abuja. He was represented by the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Senator George Akume.
According to a statement signed by Yomi Odunuga, Special Adviser, Media and Publicity to the SGF, Tinubu said the Federal Government would continue to provide both political and financial backing to the commissions to enable them unlock the economic and industrial potential of their regions.
“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 said.
He, however, urged the commissions not to rely solely on government allocations. He advised them to explore alternative sources of financing, including public-private partnerships, donor funding and development financing, where permitted by law.
Tinubu said the creation of the Regional Development Commissions was part of his administration’s Renewed Hope Agenda to accelerate development and close longstanding gaps across the country. He stressed that the commissions were not set up to duplicate the work of state and local governments.
“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 said.
The President listed priority areas for the commissions to include roads, rail, air transportation, industrialization, security, investment, human capital development, education and health. He also called for clear, concise 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,” Tinubu warned.
He further directed the Ministry of Regional Development to ensure the commissions operate within the Regional Development Policy Document, with the National Assembly providing oversight. The President cautioned against corruption, marginalization, politicization and ethnicisation of government operations, adding that “government will not hesitate to sanction anyone found culpable.”
Speaking specifically on the North Central, Tinubu said the region has enormous potential in agriculture, food production, agro-processing, solid minerals and industrial development. He noted the region had “operated below its potential for too long” and urged stakeholders to use the summit to chart a new development trajectory.
On security, the President said the Federal Government had intensified surveillance, established more security formations, deployed additional personnel and supported dialogue and reconciliation in the North Central. He charged the NCDC to complement those efforts, stressing that development can only thrive in an atmosphere of peace.
The summit’s theme, “The Great Leap Forward: A 20-Year Economic, Infrastructural and Social Development Plan for the North Central Region,” was described by the President as appropriate. He urged participants to ensure the proposed plan reflects the aspirations of the people and aligns with the Renewed Hope Agenda.
“This Summit should not end up as one of those platforms where ideas are ventilated and reports generated only to be left dusting on the shelves. The NCDC should show a better example by following through to implementation,” he said.
