By Samuel Akpan
President Bola Tinubu ordered the immediate release of funds to Regional Development Commissions on Monday, accompanying the mandate with a stern warning that commission boards must eliminate waste, combat corruption, and stop prioritizing projects that neglect ordinary Nigerians.
The President’s message was delivered by the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Senator George Akume, during the opening of the maiden North Central Stakeholders Development Summit organized by the NCDC in Abuja.
“I therefore direct the Secretary to the Government of the Federation to ensure that all funds accruable to the Commissions are released as and when due,” he said.
Tinubu pledged continued political and financial backing so the commissions can unlock the country’s economic and industrial potential.
He urged them not to depend only on government money but to chase public-private partnerships, donor funds and development financing.
The commissions form part of the Renewed Hope Agenda aimed at speeding development and closing long-standing gaps.
He stressed that they were not created to replace, duplicate or usurp any tier of government.
“Rather, it is our way of looking at why development gaps still exist and trying to close them up for the benefit of our people,” he said.
Boards must focus on priorities that unlock each region and link the nation: roads, rail, air transport, industrialisation, security, investment, human capital, education and health. He demanded clear, concise, attainable and fundable programmes only.
“The era of white elephant projects is over and there is no excuse for the Commissions to become another conduit for wasting public funds,” Tinubu warned, adding that the Ministry of Regional Development must keep them inside the Regional Development Policy Document while the legislature provides oversight.
He also warned against corruption, marginalisation, politicisation and ethnicisation of operations.
“Such actions will not be tolerated and government will not hesitate to sanction anyone found culpable,” the President said.
Tinubu noted the North Central’s huge potential in agriculture, food production, agro-processing, solid minerals, industry, peace and security.
He said the zone had operated far below that potential for too long and must now chart a new path.
Acknowledging insecurity in the region, he listed intensified surveillance and intelligence, extra formations, more personnel, faster prosecution of criminals plus dialogue and reconciliation.
He asked the NCDC to complement those efforts because development needs peace.
The summit theme, “The Great Leap Forward: A 20-Year Economic, Infrastructural and Social Development Plan for the North Central Region,” was fitting.
“Stakeholders should scrutinise the draft so it mirrors the people’s hopes and the Renewed Hope Agenda.
“This Summit should not end up as one of those platforms where ideas are ventilated and reports generated only to be left dusting on the shelves. The NCDC should show a better example by following through to implementation,” Tinubu said.
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