Regional commissions must prioritise people-centred development — Minister
Engr. Abubakar Momoh, the Minister of Regional Development, has called on the country’s regional development commissions to focus on people-oriented projects to reduce regional inequalities, drive economic growth, and enhance living standards in the various regions.
Momoh made the statement during a three-day retreat on institutional coordination for development organised by his Ministry in Lagos. He pointed out that, despite the diversity across regions, the people face shared environmental challenges.
The Minister urged the newly established commissions to work together to capitalise on regional opportunities and increase efforts in areas such as health, education, security, and capacity building.
He also encouraged the Commissions and development agencies to align their work with President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope agenda, particularly focusing on the eight key presidential priorities: food security, poverty eradication, job creation, and the fight against corruption.
“These commissions are specifically established to foster development and tackle regional disparities in the country,” Momoh explained.
The Minister stressed that his Ministry would continue to give priority to the Niger Delta, ensuring that the region receives the necessary attention and resources to drive its development.
Uba Maigari Ahmadu, the Minister of State for Regional Development, delivered the welcome address. He stated that the commissions would play a critical role in delivering the federal government’s Renewed Hope Agenda, which aims to revitalise Nigeria’s development through sustainable and inclusive policies.
In his goodwill message, Dr Samuel Ogbuku, Managing Director of the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC), assured attendees that the NDDC was committed to delivering more projects for the benefit of the people. He highlighted that several developmental projects were inaugurated recently as part of the NDDC’s 25th anniversary celebrations and announced that another round of project commissioning would begin this month.
Dr Ogbuku reiterated the Commission’s alignment with President Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda as it works to accelerate the development of the Niger Delta region.
The retreat’s keynote speaker, Dr Sam Amadi, delivered a paper titled “Ideas and Lessons for Driving Nigeria’s Regional Development Commissions,” in which he discussed the crucial role of regional development in Nigeria’s broader growth.
