President Bola Tinubu has ordered the timely release of funds to regional development commissions, while warning their boards and managements against corruption, waste, politicisation and projects that fail to deliver tangible benefits to Nigerians.
Tinubu gave the directive on Monday, while declaring open the first north central stakeholders development summit, organised by the North Central Development Commission in Abuja.
Represented by the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, George Akume, the president said the federal government would provide the commissions with the political and financial support needed to unlock the economic and industrial potential of their respective regions.
He directed Akume to ensure that funds accruing to the regional development commissions were released as and when due.
Tinubu, however, urged the commissions to look beyond government allocations by exploring public-private partnerships, donor support and development financing, where permitted by law.
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He said the commissions were established under the Renewed Hope Agenda to address longstanding development gaps but cautioned that they must not duplicate the responsibilities of federal, state or local governments.
The president declared that the era of expensive and impractical “white elephant” projects was over, warning that the commissions must not become channels for wasting public funds.
He directed them to develop clear, attainable and properly funded programmes, while urging the Ministry of Regional Development to ensure compliance with the regional development policy document.
Tinubu also warned against corruption, marginalisation, politicisation and ethnicisation in the operations of the commissions, saying anyone found culpable would face sanctions.
He identified transportation infrastructure, industrialisation, security, investment, human capital development, education and healthcare as priority areas for regional development.
Speaking specifically on the North Central, the President highlighted its potential in agriculture, food production and agro-processing, solid minerals, industrial development, peace and security.
He said the region had operated below its potential for too long and urged stakeholders to use the summit to establish a new development trajectory.
Tinubu acknowledged the security challenges facing the region, saying the federal government had intensified surveillance and intelligence gathering, deployed additional personnel and strengthened efforts to prosecute criminals, alongside dialogue and reconciliation initiatives.
He urged the North Central Development Commission to complement these efforts, stressing that sustainable development could only thrive in an atmosphere of peace and security.
The president also called for serious implementation of the summit’s proposed 20-year economic, infrastructural and social development plan for the region, warning against producing reports that would ultimately be abandoned.
He urged stakeholders to ensure that the plan reflects the aspirations of residents and aligns with the Renewed Hope Agenda.
