Speaker Abbas Urges NWDC to Assess Needs Of North-West

…as he inaugurates house committee for oversight

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By Gloria Ikibah

The Speaker of House of Representatives, Rep. Tajudeen Abbas, has urged the newly formed North West Development Commission (NWDC) to carry out a thorough assessment of the region’s needs as it begins operations.

Speaker Abbas who stated this during the inauguration of the House Committee on the North West Development Commission on Wednesday in Abuja, emphasised the importance of exploring diverse funding options to effectively achieve the commission’s objectives.

He highlighted his personal connection to the initiative, and noted that, as a representative from the North-West and a key advocate for the bill that led to the creation of the commission, the moment was particularly meaningful to him.

He added: “It is a moment that reaffirms our obligation to promote the growth and development of our region and improve the well-being of its people.”

The Speaker noted that the event “marks not only the culmination of a significant legislative process but also the commencement of a new era in our collective efforts to address the unique challenges and fully harness the immense potential of the North-West geopolitical zone.”

Speaker Abbas emphasised the crucial role of the North-West geopolitical zone in Nigeria’s economy and society, ans described it as a historic hub of agricultural excellence, renowned for producing staple crops like millet, sorghum, and groundnuts in vast quantities.

With a population exceeding 47 million, he highlighted the region’s immense cultural and economic potential. However, he expressed concern that this potential remains hindered by significant challenges.

He said: “Over the past two decades, the region has been plagued by insecurity, environmental degradation, and systemic neglect. The once-flourishing textile industry in Kaduna and Kano, which employed over 500,000 workers in the 1980s, now engages fewer than 20,000 due to policy inertia and rising insecurity.

“These setbacks have stifled economic growth and diminished livelihoods. However, we must view these challenges not as insurmountable obstacles but as calls to action—calls that the North-West Development Commission is uniquely positioned to answer.

“The NWDC is tasked with a mission of monumental importance. To succeed, a comprehensive needs assessment must be conducted across the zone, identifying priority areas for intervention. This exercise should inform the development of a robust 10-year strategic plan, a blueprint that will outline measurable goals and actionable strategies. Such a plan will not only serve as a roadmap but also as a vital tool for attracting partners, mobilising resources, and ensuring accountability.”

Speaker Abbas therefore urged the NWDC to embrace a multi-stakeholder approach, engaging state governments, traditional institutions, civil society, and the private sector, and said that collaboration is key to ensuring that interventions are sustainable and impactful.

“Furthermore, innovative financing models, such as public-private partnerships and development bonds, must be explored to supplement government funding. This is a time for bold ideas and decisive action,” the Speaker added.

Speaker Abbas commended President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR, for his visionary leadership that “has laid the foundation for a more inclusive and equitable Nigeria.” He said the establishment of a Ministry of Regional Development and the timely assent to the various regional development bills reflect the President’s steadfast commitment to devolution and decentralisation.

“Through transformative actions such as granting local government autonomy, decongesting the exclusive legislative list, and signing into law the Electricity Act (Amendment) Bill, 2024, the President has demonstrated an unyielding dedication to empowering regions and fostering grassroots development. His leadership exemplifies a bold vision for a more united and prosperous Nigeria,” Speaker Abbas added.

He stressed that the Tinubu-led administration has also taken decisive steps to address the structural challenges facing our nation.

Earlier in a remark, the chairman of the committee, Hon. Sulaiman Abubakar Gumi, said the inauguration, “marks a significant moment as we embark on the noble task of transforming the North West geopolitical.

“This first interaction between the House leadership and the Members of the Committee provides us an opportunity to strengthen our collaborative efforts, ensuring excellence in the commission’s operations and encouraging maximum cooperation necessary for achieving impactful results,” he said.

He listed the mandates of the committee to include addressing all matters related to the NWDC; coordinating and monitoring the activities of development partners to ensure effective transformation of the zone; engaging with agencies, departments, multilateral organizations, and NGOs to facilitate rehabilitation, reconstruction, recovery, resettlement, and development in the North West.

Others are collaborating with private sector initiatives to promote regional development; harmonizing government initiatives aimed at rehabilitation and sustainable growth; reviewing and approving annual budget estimates, among others.

Earlier in his opening remarks, Chairman NWDC, Rep. Gumi assured of a transparent and results-oriented approach to tackling the region’s socio-economic and security challenges.

He underscored the urgency of addressing rising insecurity, economic stagnation, and infrastructural deficiencies, calling for immediate intervention.

“This is more than just a committee inauguration; it is a moment of renewed hope and determination. Our people have endured hardship for too long, yet they remain resilient. Today marks the start of decisive action to transform the North-West,” he stated.

Gumi outlined the committee’s broad mandate, which includes overseeing NWDC activities, fostering partnerships with development agencies, and collaborating with the private sector to facilitate rehabilitation, resettlement, and regional development across the seven states—Jigawa, Kaduna, Kano, Katsina, Kebbi, Sokoto, and Zamfara.

He also stressed that security was central to the Commission’s objectives, and noted that sustainable development cannot be realized in a region grappling with banditry, kidnappings, and economic distress.

“The establishment of the NWDC is a monumental step toward addressing the underlying causes of insecurity and socio-economic challenges in the North-West.

“We bear a sacred duty to ensure that this Commission does not become another failed intervention but rather a model of efficiency, accountability, and impact”.

Gumi outlined his vision for the Committee, vowing to ensure that all NWDC initiatives are people-driven, inclusive, and anchored on transparency and accountability.

“The success of the NWDC depends on appointing leaders of integrity, competence, and innovation to steer its activities,” he stressed. “Our oversight will be rigorous, ensuring that every naira allocated translates into real benefits for our people.”

To achieve this, he committed to rigorous oversight visits to NWDC projects across the seven states, ensuring that budget allocations align with regional development priorities. He also stressed the need to build partnerships with international development agencies and private sector players while implementing a quarterly review system to track progress, address challenges, and refine strategies.

Gumi highlighted the importance of learning from other regional development commissions to avoid inefficiencies and policy pitfalls.

Unveiling a proposed work plan, he described it as a blueprint for immediate action, with a focus on youth empowerment, infrastructure development, security enhancement, and leveraging the region’s agricultural and commercial potential for sustainable economic growth.

“Our approach prioritizes transparency, inclusivity, and measurable results.

“Policies must go beyond paperwork to deliver real, tangible improvements in people’s lives.

“With unity, dedication, and shared purpose, we will address the challenges, seize the opportunities, and create lasting change for the generations to come. Together, we will lay the foundation for a prosperous, inclusive, and thriving North-West,” he said.

He therefore called for collaboration among all stakeholders—federal and state governments, traditional institutions, civil society, and the private sector to ensure the NWDC achieves its mandate.