Senate grills North West commission over N943m allowances, delayed appointments

The Senate Committee on Regional Development on Tuesday grilled the North West Development Commission (NWDC) over significant governance and financial issues. Lawmakers expressed concern about the delayed appointment of executive directors, a situation that leaves the NWDC as the only regional commission without its full management structure in place. This administrative vacuum, they argued, is slowing down crucial development interventions in the North-West, a region already struggling with insecurity and inadequate infrastructure.

During an investigative session, the committee chairman, Babangida Hussaini, scrutinized the commission's financial records and governance. He highlighted that the NWDC had spent approximately N943 million on board allowances, raising questions about financial management. Senators also voiced concerns about delays in convening board meetings and what they described as excessive spending on board-related activities, even as the commission reportedly faced funding challenges.

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The North West Development Commission is the only commission that does not yet have executive directors. Every other regional commission has its full management structure in place.

The Minister of State for Regional Development, Alhaji Uba Ahmadu, addressed the committee, acknowledging the operational challenges. He revealed that the ministry had intervened in a lingering dispute over the commission's headquarters in Kano. The NWDC had been operating from donated office spaces, but disagreements over its main office led to friction. The Kano State Government has now provided a fully furnished complex, vehicles, and land, which the ministry, board, and management have jointly taken over, with instructions to close all other offices to end the dispute.

Minister Ahmadu emphasized that the absence of executive directors has weakened the commission's management and contributed to its operational difficulties since its inauguration. He noted that while the governing board was inaugurated in February 2025 to expedite the commission's takeoff, it has been plagued by continuous crises. He contrasted this with other regional commissions in Enugu, Oyo, and Nasarawa states, whose governments provided office accommodation without controversy. Ahmadu expressed optimism that the Kano State Government's intervention would finally resolve the headquarters issue.

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Something has to be done urgently so that the commission can function effectively.