The Ministry of Regional Development, Regional Development Commissions and the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) have resolved to deepen collaboration with stakeholders to close development gaps, curb project abandonment and deliver impactful infrastructure across the country.
This formed the thrust of a communiqué issued at the end of a three-day retreat held in Benin City, Edo State, where top government officials and heads of development commissions converged to chart a new course for regional growth.
The retreat, chaired by the Minister of Regional Development, Abubakar Momoh, brought together key figures, including Chairman of the NDDC Governing Board, Chiedu Ebie, Managing Director, Samuel Ogbuku, and other board members.
Presenting the communiqué, Director of Planning and Research in the ministry, Victor Ewache, said participants agreed on far-reaching measures aimed at strengthening institutional performance and accelerating development outcomes.
Central to the resolutions is a renewed commitment to synergy among commissions and stakeholders, alongside plans to review existing Establishment Acts to eliminate bottlenecks and enhance operational efficiency.
The communiqué also unveiled a draft National Policy on Regional Development, designed to provide a coordinated framework for addressing infrastructural deficits and unlocking the economic potential of Nigeria’s regions.
Ewache noted that discussions focused on “generating fresh ideas to unlock regional potentials,” with emphasis on attracting international funding through partnerships with organisations such as the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), while ensuring strict compliance with Treasury Single Account (TSA) regulations.
To boost accountability, leadership of the commissions will sign performance bonds tied to measurable outcomes, with priority placed on strategic infrastructure projects aligned with the Federal Government’s Renewed Hope Agenda and targeted at poverty reduction.
The minister, in his closing remarks, described the deliberations as “robust and forward-looking,” stressing the need for strict adherence to statutory mandates. He added that government would move to amend existing laws governing the commissions to address identified gaps and strengthen delivery capacity.
The retreat ended with honours for Momoh and Ogbuku, who were recognised for “outstanding development and impact” by the Association of Edo Youths for Peace, which described them as transformational leaders.
