President Bola Tinubu has directed the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, George Akume, to ensure the prompt release of all funds approved for Nigeria’s regional development commissions.
He issued the directive on Monday while speaking at the North Central Development Commission Summit, held under the theme, “The Great Leap Forward: A 20-Year Economic Infrastructure and Social Development Plan for the North Central Region.”
Akume, who represented the President at the summit, said the establishment of regional development commissions was part of the Federal Government’s Renewed Hope Agenda to accelerate development across 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,” Tinubu 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.”
Despite directing stronger government funding, Tinubu said the commissions must not become dependent on public resources.
He urged them to pursue public-private partnerships, donor funding and development financing to execute projects capable of transforming their respective regions.
According to the president, the commissions are expected to concentrate on strategic interventions in rail transportation, aviation, industrialisation, security, investment, human capital development, education and healthcare.
Tinubu also issued a warning to the boards and management of the commissions against corruption, marginalisation, politicisation and the misuse of public resources.
“Such actions will not be tolerated, and government will not hesitate to sanction anyone found culpable,” he said.
The president stressed that the regional commissions were created to complement, rather than replace or duplicate, the responsibilities of state and local governments or existing federal institutions.
