Governor Caleb Manasseh Mutfwang of Plateau State has called on the leadership of the North Central Development Commission (NCDC) to remain strictly focused on its mandate of driving sustainable, long-term development across the region.
During a courtesy visit by the NCDC Board and Management at the New Government House in Jos on Monday, March 9, 2026, the Governor cautioned that similar development agencies have historically struggled due to the politicization of their leadership and a deviation from their core objectives.
Emphasizing that governance should be measured by the tangible improvement of lives, Governor Mutfwang urged the Commission to prioritize policies that deliver lasting benefits rather than temporary interventions.
He highlighted the significant infrastructure deficit in the North Central region, pointing to numerous abandoned projects in Plateau State that require substantial financial investment to complete.
He argued that abandoning these projects is costly to the public, stressing that governance must be viewed as a continuous process rather than an opportunity for self-glorification.
The Governor specifically identified agriculture and storage infrastructure as critical areas for intervention.
He noted that Plateau State loses nearly 40 percent of its potato and vegetable harvests due to a lack of adequate storage facilities, a problem that could be significantly mitigated through coordinated investments by the NCDC.
He encouraged the Commission to foster regional partnerships and ensure its projects are fully aligned with the development priorities of state governments, warning that operating in isolation often leads to less effective outcomes.
The Chairman of the NCDC Board, Barr. Cosmas Akiyir commended Governor Mutfwang for his administration’s commitment to restoring peace, security, and unity in Plateau State.
He described the Commission’s visit as a strategic effort to strengthen cooperation across the region. Akiyir also noted some of the logistical challenges currently facing the Commission, including a lack of operational vehicles, and appealed for the Governor’s intervention, including the potential provision of infrastructure to host a zonal office in Plateau State.
Dr. Cyril Tsenyil, the Managing Director of the NCDC, explained that the strategic tour is aimed at aligning the Commission’s roadmap with the specific needs of member states.
The Commission’s mandate encompasses the planning and implementation of sustainable development projects in transportation, healthcare, education, electricity, and telecommunications.
He assured that the NCDC has already begun establishing the institutional foundations necessary to deliver on its mandate for the benefit of the entire North Central region.
