By Bridget Tikyaa
The Minister of Regional Development, Dr Abubakar Momoh, says the seven regional development commissions will collaborate closely with state governments to tackle insecurity and accelerate infrastructure development nationwide.
Momoh stated this after leading chairmen and managing directors of the commissions to meet with President Bola Tinubu at the Presidential Villa, Abuja, to discuss progress, challenges, and future plans.
He told State House correspondents that the delegation presented achievements and obstacles to the President, who responded positively, assuring continued support and encouraging further efforts to meet development objectives efficiently.
“We briefed Mr President on our progress and challenges. He gave us his attention, which we appreciate, and we remain hopeful that collaboration will soon deliver improved, tangible results across regions,” he said.
The minister stressed that the commissions would work hand in hand with governors to complement federal and state efforts in tackling insecurity while advancing key infrastructure in their respective regions.
“They will collaborate directly with state governments to address insecurity locally.
“Supporting existing structures falls within their mandate, ensuring federal interventions complement state efforts to protect citizens and improve regional stability,” Momoh said.
He noted that deteriorating road networks had long been a concern but expressed optimism that joint maintenance and rehabilitation efforts by state governments and development commissions would significantly reduce the problem.
“If state governments maintain roads consistently and development commissions assist in rehabilitation, the long-standing issues with bad roads will be reduced, opening communities for business, social services, and secure transportation,” he said.
The Minister of State for Regional Development, Mr Uba Maigari Ahmadu, described the commissions as the administration’s “surest tool” to address Nigeria’s development challenges across sectors such as education, energy, water, and agriculture.
“These seven development commissions are central to overcoming the nation’s development obstacles.
“They are strategically positioned to implement renewable energy, agriculture, water, and infrastructure projects, bringing tangible improvements to local communities,” he said.
The Managing Director of the North-East Development Commission (NEDC), Mr Mohammed Goni Alkali, said the NEDC had implemented a four-phase master plan focusing on security, sustainability, and infrastructure in insurgency-affected areas of the region.
“We are currently in phase three, concentrating on infrastructure.
Fourteen bridges and approximately eighteen roads have been constructed, opening up communities and facilitating economic and social recovery after insurgency disruptions,” Alkali explained.
Also speaking, the Managing Director of the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC), Dr Samuel Ogbuku, said peace in the Niger Delta was improving due to development projects reflecting the real needs of host communities.
“Virtually every community in the Niger Delta now has ongoing projects.
“Comprehensive needs assessments and stakeholder consultations guide decisions, ensuring development interventions are relevant, sustainable, and community-driven,” he added.
He highlighted the NDDC’s “Operation Light Up the Niger Delta,” which restored security in previously unsafe areas by providing lighting and essential infrastructure, boosting safety and community engagement.
“We no longer plan projects in isolation. Every initiative is designed in partnership with communities and stakeholders, ensuring local participation, accountability, and sustainable development outcomes across the Niger Delta,” Ogbuku said.
Similarly ,the Board Chairman, North Central Development Commission, NCDC, Barr. Cosmas Akighir who led the Managing Director of the commission, Dr. Cyril Tsenyi, and other members of the commission to the meeting reviewed that the Commission had an envelope budget of N140billion awaiting for its take-off.
“That is part of the reason we came to engage with the President. With our engagement with the President, I am confident that something positive will happen in this regard,” Barr. Akighir noted.
He further disclosed that, the NCDC has already developed a clear road map for various project interventions, and is working with consultants in terms of security, ,health, education sectors, purposeful infrastructure, and some other critical areas.
