The Minister of Regional Development, Engr Abubakar Momoh, has inaugurated the governing boards and management teams of South-south, South-west and North-central development commissions.
He then charged the officials on service delivery while also ensuring that initiated programmes and policies align with the key priority areas of the President’s Renewed Hope Agenda.
This he said includes economic reforms for sustainable growth, national security, agricultural development, energy and natural resource harnessing, infrastructure enhancement, investments in education, health and social welfare.
In a statement by Lawan Ahmed Danbazau, head, Press and Public Relations unit in the ministry, the minister reminded the officials that the president has assigned presidential deliverables to the ministry such that would contribute to the attainment of the government’s eight priorities, for which a performance bond was signed for effective implementation.
“The attainment of the deliverables is hinged on your performance to consolidate on the efforts of the ministry”, the statement said.
Speaking further, the minister said the inauguration signals hope to millions of people in the three regions that fall within their mandate, adding that as a succour of the ordinary Nigerians in the regions, they should initiate projects and policies that are people oriented and beneficial, as well as tailored towards accelerating the development of the three regions for equitable and balanced growth.
“This would only be attainable if you shun the impulses for embarking on unrealistic projects motivated by personal and selfish gains”, he stressed.
“Your role isn’t just about distributing funds or managing projects; it’s about rebuilding trust in governance by delivering results that truly improve lives. You need to ensure responsibility, careful planning and inclusiveness in decision-making. Let your leadership embody fairness, transparency and dedication to the people you serve.”
He urged them to also promote collaborative engagement with the state governments in their respective regions, the organised private organisations and other critical stakeholders towards generating new initiatives that would assist to deliver the targeted plans of positively transforming the region.
Earlier in an opening remarks, Regional Development Minister of State, Uba Maigari Ahmadu, said the establishment of those commissions is more than just an administrative task.
“It is a strategic move by His Excellency, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to establish frameworks that address developmental gaps, leverage regional advantages and create opportunities for growth across our six geopolitical zones,” he said.
He commended the Hon minister, permanent secretary, Dr Mary Ada Ogbe, technical teams and all stakeholders who worked tirelessly to ensure success of the inauguration.
In a vote of thanks, Dr Ogbe said she was humbled by the esteemed personalities that honoured the ministry with their presence, culminating in a successful outing.
She therefore commended President Tinubu for his visionary leadership in setting the developmental agenda for the socio-economic prosperity of Nigeria through the Renewed Hope agenda including the establishment of the Development Commissions and appointment Governing Boards and Management Teams.
She said four development commissions – NDDC, NEDC, SEDC & NWDC had earlier commenced operations, stressing that the day’s inauguration kick-starts the process of officially handing over the operational baton to them to achieve the vision for regional development.
Hon Felix Uche Nwaeke, deputy chairman, Information, National Orientation, Ethics and Values who represented the speaker, House of Representatives, Hon Tajudeen Abbas, admonished board members and management of the commissions from awarding unnecessary and bogus contracts given the paucity of funds.