The Federal Government has intensified efforts to promote balanced national development with the unveiling of a new coordination and accountability framework aimed at eliminating project duplication and improving service delivery across regional development commissions.

Minister of Regional Development, Abubakar Momoh, disclosed this during a two-day sectoral retreat held in Benin, Edo State, where he outlined measures to strengthen inter-agency synergy, enforce project completion, and enhance performance monitoring among the commissions.

Momoh explained that the expansion of regional development commissions across the six geopolitical zones aligns with the strategic vision of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to adopt a geo-spatial approach to development, leveraging each region’s economic strengths rather than relying on politically driven interventions.

He noted that improved coordination between the Ministry and key agencies such as the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) and the North East Development Commission (NEDC) would be critical to addressing longstanding regional disparities, rebuilding infrastructure, and unlocking economic potential in underserved areas.

According to the minister, the retreat marks a turning point in repositioning the commissions as drivers of inclusive growth, particularly in regions grappling with insecurity, environmental degradation, and inadequate infrastructure.

Momoh identified persistent challenges, including project duplication, inter-agency rivalry, and abandoned initiatives, as major impediments to development.

He stressed that new projects would only be approved after existing ones are substantially completed and properly evaluated.

As part of the reform agenda, the minister announced that all regional commissions, except the NDDC, would sign performance bonds with the Ministry to establish clear delivery benchmarks.

He added that a peer review mechanism would be introduced to promote efficiency and foster healthy competition among the commissions.

Momoh further urged the commissions to explore alternative funding models, including public-private partnerships, in response to declining public revenues, while maintaining strict adherence to due process, transparency, and accountability.

He highlighted priority areas under the administration’s Renewed Hope Agenda, including infrastructure, agriculture, energy, digital economy, healthcare, and social investment, as critical to achieving sustainable and inclusive growth.

In his remarks, Chairman of the Senate Committee on Regional Development, Jide Ipinsagba, called for practical and innovative solutions to address structural gaps.

He warned that uneven development could undermine national prosperity and emphasized that empowering all regions remains central to achieving broad-based economic growth and long-term stability.

(Nigerian Tribune)

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