President Bola Tinubu has warned Regional Development Commissions against corruption, waste, and projects that offer little or no direct benefit to Nigerians.
Tinubu gave the warning on Monday while declaring open the first North Central Stakeholders’ Development Summit in Abuja. He was represented by the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, George Akume.
The President directed the timely release of funds to the commissions but urged them to explore public-private partnerships, donor funding, and development financing where permitted by law.
He said the commissions were established to close development gaps, not to duplicate the responsibilities of existing levels of government.
“The era of white elephant projects is over,” Tinubu said, warning that the commissions must not become conduits for wasting public funds.
He urged the commissions to prioritize projects in roads, rail, air transport, industrialization, security, education, healthcare, and human capital development.
Tinubu also warned against corruption, politicization, marginalization, and ethnic bias, saying anyone found culpable would face sanctions.
In the North Central, the President highlighted its potential in agriculture, solid minerals, and industrial development, while acknowledging the region’s security challenges.
The two-day summit is expected to advance a 20-year economic, infrastructural, and social development blueprint for the North Central region.
