The Federal Government has commenced recruitment for the newly established North-West and South-East Development Commissions.
A top source disclosed to Saturday Punch that although these commissions were not included in the 2024 budget, they will be incorporated into the next budget cycle. The source further noted that recruitment for various positions within the commissions has already begun.
“The commissions are not in the current appropriation. It is likely to be in the next budget to be presented in October/November,” the source said.
Regarding the inauguration, the source added, “The commission will be recruiting for the time being. We don’t know when the inauguration will be for now.”
Another insider, who requested anonymity, revealed that the commissions will be headquartered in Kano and Enugu, respectively.
It is noteworthy that President Bola Tinubu recently signed into law bills establishing these two regional development commissions. The North-West Development Commission was sponsored by Deputy Senate President Jibrin Barau, and the South-East Development Commission was sponsored by Deputy Speaker Benjamin Kalu.
The two bills were passed by both chambers in June and subsequently transmitted to the president for his assent.
According to Senator Barau, the North-West Commission will “formulate policies and guidelines for the development of the North-West Zone where security shall prevail.” The agency will also “conceive, plan and implement, following the set rules and regulations, projects and programmes for the sustainable development of the North-West in the field of roads, education, health facilities, employment, industrialisation, agriculture, housing and urban development, water supply, electricity, and commerce.”
He added, “It will identify factors inhibiting the development of the region and assist the member states in the formulation and implementation of policies to ensure sound and efficient management of resources of the North-West Zone, as well as tackle ecological and environmental problems that arise from desertification problems and other related environmental challenges in the zone.”
Barau emphasized, “The enactment of this bill will help to rebuild the North-West Zone and shall provide the opportunity for the people of the zone to display their talents and contribute immensely to the development of the country.”
Similarly, the South-East Development Commission will be responsible for “receiving and managing funds from the allocation of the federation account for the reconstruction and rehabilitation of roads, houses, and other infrastructural damage suffered by the region as a result of the effects of the civil war, 54 years after it ended.”
The commission will also address “ecological problems and any other related environmental or developmental challenges in the South-East states, which include Abia, Imo, Enugu, Anambra, and Ebonyi,” the statement reads in part.
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