The Minister of Regional Development, Abubakar Momoh, has warned regional development commissions not to commence new projects without completing existing ones.
This is as he warned against duplication of efforts and inter-agency rivalry among the development commissions, insisting that “this has to stop.”
The Minister gave the warning in Benin at the opening of a two-day sectoral retreat for the leadership team of the ministry, boards and management of the seven regional development commissions and national assembly members with the theme: Fresh Ideas to Unlock the Potentials of the Region.
Abubakar, while reminding the regional development commissions why President Bola Tinubu established an additional development commission, said: “This bold initiative is not anchored in geo-political considerations but on a strategic commitment to geo-spatial development, recognising the need for a multi-sectoral, area-based, and spatially targeted approach to serve as a catalyst for regional economic and social transformation.”
He added: “One of the recurring challenges we face is duplication of efforts, uncompleted projects, and inter-agency rivalry. This has to stop. New projects must only commence when existing ones are substantially completed and assessed for impact.”
The Minister urged the regional development commissions to “prioritise roads, bridges, transportation links, investments, healthcare delivery, security, digital infrastructure and youth/women empowerment,” and work “towards a common national objective: equitable and sustainable development that leaves no citizen behind.”
“Beyond the focus areas, the commissions must also look into the possibility of establishing centres of excellence in the healthcare delivery system and other fields of human endeavours. We must invest decisively in critical infrastructure-physical and digital to ensure seamless connectivity and accessibility across and within regions.”
Abubakar, who said the”retreat is not just another meeting, it is a significant milestone in reaffirming our shared responsibility to transform our regions into zones of prosperity, peace, and opportunity,” disclosed the ministry’s plan to “introduce a system of peer review among the Commissions, fostering healthy competition and continuous improvement.”
He urged participants to use the retreat to “interrogate our practices, challenge ourselves, and forge stronger bonds of collaboration. Let us leave here with renewed energy, clear commitments, and a shared determination to deliver on the promises we owe to our regions and our people.”
Earlier, in his welcome address, Governor Monday Okpebholo of Edo State, said: “At this point in our history, when Nigeria’s development path has been uneven, Fresh Ideas becomes incumbent to address these challenges.”
The governor, represented by his deputy, Dennis Idahosa, urged participants to use “this retreat work together to achieve the Renewed Hope Agenda of Mr President.”
