Speaker Inaugurates House Committee to Oversee North West Development 

The Speaker of Nigeria’s House of  Representatives, Mr. Abbas Tajudeen, has tasked the newly established North West Development Commission (NWDC) with conducting a needs assessment of the geopolitical zone as the commission takes off.

Speaker Abbas also called on the NWDC to consider multiple funding sources to be able to fulfil its mandate.

The Speaker made the call while inaugurating the House Committee on North West Development Commission on Wednesday at the National Assembly.

In his address at the inauguration ceremony, Speaker Abbas said as someone from the North-West and a legislator who was privileged to champion the House version of the bill that led to the establishment of the NWDC, “this occasion holds deep personal significance and profound meaning for me.”

“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.” Mr. Abass said.

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.

He noted that the North-West holds a pivotal place in Nigeria’s economic and social landscape.

The Speaker also said that historically, the zone has been the cradle of agricultural excellence, producing staple crops such as millet, sorghum, and groundnuts in unmatched quantities.

Speaker Abbas stated that the North-West is not just a demographic powerhouse but also a reservoir of cultural and economic potential. “Yet, this promise remains constrained by daunting challenges,” he lamented.

“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,” he said.

Multi-stakeholder Approach

Speaker Abbas urged the NWDC to embrace a multi-stakeholder approach, engaging state governments, traditional institutions, civil society, and the private sector.

He noted 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 stated.

Speaker Abbas commended President Bola Ahmed Tinubu,  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 the nation.

Earlier in a remark, the chairman of the committee, 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.

Mandates

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.

The Chairman of the committee on North West, Mr. Sulaiman Gumi promised intensive oversight for the development of the region.

 

Confidence Okwuchi