The Federal Government has inaugurated the boards of the North-West Development Commission (NWDC) and the South-East Development Commission (SEDC), tasking members to ensure transparency and accountability in their operations.
This was contained in a statement signed by Abdulrashid Safana, Head, Press and Public Relations, Federal Ministry of Information and National Orientation.
The Minister of Regional Development, Abubakar Momoh, urged the board members to collaborate with state governments and ensure their activities align with the needs of the people.
He commended President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for his prompt assent to the bills establishing the commissions. The commissions are intended to ensure even and speedy development in all regions of the country.
According to the statement, Momoh charged the commissions to align their programs with key priority areas of the President’s Renewed Hope Agenda, including reforming the economy, strengthening national security, and improving agriculture.
He also emphasised the need for transparency and accountability, urging the commissions to adhere to the principles of due process and relevant laws.
“The Commissions are intended by the Federal Government to ensure even and speedy development in all regions of the country,” Momoh said.
He also kicked against calls for the replacement of the current Managing Director of the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) with someone from Delta State, stating that the next MD should come from Edo State.
The Chairman Senate Committee on North West Development Commission, Senator Babangida Hussaini, and his counterpart on the South East Development Commission, Senator Orji Uzor Kalu, urged members to avoid corrupt practices and ensure accountability and transparency.
The Chairmen of the NWDC and SEDC, Professor Lawal Abdullahi and Senator Emeka Wogu, respectively, assured that they would work effectively to justify the confidence reposed in them.