By Awwal Umar Kontagora Niger State Governor, Mohammed Umaru Bago , has urged the North Central Development Commission (NCDC) ...
By Awwal Umar Kontagora
Niger State Governor, Mohammed Umaru Bago, has urged the North Central Development Commission (NCDC) to prioritise efforts aimed at addressing insecurity, communal conflicts, and the adverse effects of climate change as part of its mandate to promote sustainable development across the North-Central region.
Governor Bago made the call while receiving the management team of the Commission, led by its Governing Board Chairman, Barrister Cosmas Akighir, during a courtesy visit to the Government House in Minna.
Describing the Commission as a strategic institution with immense potential, the governor commended its leadership for the progress recorded since its establishment. He, however, stressed the need for the Commission to give greater attention to the security challenges confronting the region, particularly recurring communal clashes and farmer-herder conflicts that continue to threaten lives, livelihoods, and agricultural productivity.
Governor Bago proposed the convening of a meeting involving governors of the North-Central states and the Commission to develop a comprehensive regional development agenda capable of addressing the unique socio-economic and security challenges facing the zone.
According to him, such collaboration would provide a coordinated framework for tackling regional issues while accelerating sustainable growth and development.
The governor also highlighted the devastating impact of climate change on Niger State, noting that the annual overflow from the state's four hydroelectric dams has continued to destroy communities, displace residents, and devastate farmlands.
He said the recurring environmental disasters underscore the need for deliberate intervention by the Commission and further strengthen the state's demand for a 13 per cent derivation from the Federal Government in recognition of its contribution to Nigeria's electricity generation.
Governor Bago further urged the Commission to prioritise investments in agriculture and education, describing the two sectors as critical drivers of economic transformation, poverty reduction, food security, and long-term regional stability.
Reaffirming his administration's commitment to a productive partnership with the Commission, the governor pledged to provide a liaison office and other logistical support to facilitate its operations in Niger State.
Earlier, the Managing Director of the North Central Development Commission, Mr. Cyril Tsenyil, said the Commission remains committed to implementing programmes and projects that will promote sustainable development across the North-Central region in line with its establishing Act.
He explained that the Commission's intervention areas include transportation infrastructure, road construction, healthcare delivery, education, agriculture, industrialisation, water supply, electricity, and telecommunications, all aimed at improving the quality of life of people across member states.
Mr. Tsenyil assured the governor of the Commission's readiness to work closely with the Niger State Government in addressing insecurity and other developmental challenges confronting the state.
In his remarks, the Chairman of the Governing Board of the Commission, Barrister Cosmas Akighir, said the visit formed part of the Commission's engagement tour of member states to formally introduce its leadership and identify areas of collaboration with state governments.
He commended Governor Bago for what he described as his transformative leadership and applauded the administration's achievements in agriculture, infrastructure development, and governance, noting that the governor's initiatives align with the Commission's vision of fostering sustainable development across the North-Central region.
The visit underscored the commitment of both the Niger State Government and the North Central Development Commission to strengthening institutional collaboration in addressing the region's security, environmental, and developmental challenges while laying the foundation for inclusive growth and sustainable prosperity.
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