NCDC Inauguration: Gov. Sule Vows Strong Collaboration with Board …As Minister Cautions Against Corruption in Contract Awards

By David Odama

The Minister of Regional Development, Engineer Abubakar Momoh, on Thursday, cautioned members of the newly inaugurated board of the North Central Development Commission (NCDC) to shun corrupt practices, particularly in the award of contracts.

Speaking at the inauguration ceremony in Abuja, Momoh explained that the establishment of regional development commissions by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu was aimed at promoting fairness, equity, balance, and grassroots development in line with the Renewed Hope Agenda.

He urged the NCDC Board to prioritize agricultural and mining development, stressing that the President’s vision for regional commissions must be taken seriously to achieve their purpose.

In his remarks, Governor Abdullahi A. Sule of Nasarawa State reaffirmed his administration’s readiness to partner effectively with the NCDC for the benefit of the zone. Represented by the Secretary to the State Government (SSG), Barr. Labaran Shu’aibu Magaji, the governor thanked President Tinubu for establishing the commission and congratulated the board members on their inauguration.

“On behalf of His Excellency, Engineer Abdullahi A. Sule, I wish to state that, as part of our commitment to ensure the smooth take-off of the commission, we have provided a befitting office accommodation in Lafia, the NCDC headquarters,” the SSG said.

Magaji, who was accompanied by a high-powered delegation including the State Accountant-General Rt. Hon. Musa Ahmed Tinubu, APC State Chairman Dr. Aliyu Bello, and Permanent Secretary for Political Affairs Abubakar Mai Sudan, also urged other state governments within the zone to support the initiative for regional development.

In a goodwill message, the Minister of Women Affairs, Hon. Imaan Sulaiman-Ibrahim, lauded President Tinubu for ensuring women’s representation on the boards while advocating for increased inclusion.

The NCDC Board Chairman, Cosmos T. Akyhir, speaking on behalf of other members, assured of their readiness to “hit the ground running.”

The event also featured goodwill messages from dignitaries including Senator Ita Enang, representing the Speaker of the House of Representatives.

The highlight of the ceremony was the formal inauguration of the boards of the North Central Development Commission, South-South Development Commission, and South-West Development Commission, performed on behalf of the Minister by the Director of Legal Services of the Ministry.

Nasarawa State has two representatives on the NCDC Board: former Commissioner for Women Affairs, Hajiya Aishatu Rufai Ibrahim, as Executive Director, and Dauda Shu’aibu Kigbu as Member. Plateau State’s Tsenyil Cyril Yilwatsen was appointed as the Managing Director.

It will be recalled that Engineer Abubakar Momoh inaugurated the boards of the three regional development commissions in Abuja on Thursday.