Reps begin debate on bill to establish rural infrastructure commission

Nigeria's House of Representatives has begun debating a bill that seeks to create a National Commission for Rural Infrastructure and Development. The proposed legislation aims to address the significant infrastructure deficit in rural communities, which house a large portion of the country's population and are vital for agricultural production and natural resources.

Saidu Abdullahi, the bill's sponsor, argued that rural development should be treated as a strategic economic priority. He stated that despite decades of investment, Nigeria's largest infrastructure gaps remain in its rural areas. The bill proposes that the new commission will provide a national framework for financing, coordinating, monitoring, and supporting rural infrastructure and development programs across the federation.

"No nation can attain sustainable economic growth while neglecting the communities that produce its food, supply its raw materials and sustain its local economy. Rural development must therefore be regarded not merely as a social obligation but as a strategic economic priority," Abdullahi said during the plenary debate.

The bill also proposes the establishment of a National Rural Development Fund to ensure sustainable financing for these projects. Abdullahi clarified that the commission would not duplicate the functions of existing ministries but would complement their efforts by providing unified institutional support for financing, coordination, policy guidance, and performance evaluation. The model draws parallels with existing intervention agencies like the Tertiary Education Trust Fund and the Universal Basic Education Commission, focusing on oversight rather than direct project implementation.

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No nation can attain sustainable economic growth while neglecting the communities that produce its food, supply its raw materials and sustain its local economy. Rural development must therefore be regarded not merely as a social obligation but as a strategic economic priority.