By Isaac Ukpoju
Dr Cyril Tsenyil, Managing Director of the newly established North Central Development Commission (NCDC), Wednesday outlined the Commission’s priorities aimed at fast-tracking sustainable development across the region.
Tsenyil, during a maiden press briefing at the Commission’s headquarters in Lafia, said the NCDC would focus on infrastructure, agriculture, health, education, housing, water, power, and industrialisation across the six states of the region and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).
He recalled that President Bola Tinubu had signed into law the Act establishing the NCDC, followed by the inauguration of its 19-member board on Aug. 28, by Abubakar Momoh, the Minister of Regional Development.
According to him, the board, chaired by Mr Cosmos Akighir, has since held its inaugural meeting where 13 committees were set up to drive various aspects of the Commission’s operations.
“The board also adopted our 2025 budget estimates to enable us to access funds for operations and approved a policy development retreat scheduled for October in Lafia,” he said.
Tsenyil said the Commission was also developing a strategic regional development plan and would embark on state-wide tours to engage stakeholders, including governors of the North Central states and the FCT.
He expressed appreciation to Gov. Abdullahi Sule of Nasarawa for donating and furnishing the headquarters building, and to other governors of the zone for their support.
Tsenyil assured that the Commission would work in line with President Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda to address priority needs in the region, ranging from roads and bridges to resettlement, economic recovery, peace and security, and environmental restoration.
“We will not duplicate existing projects of the Federal, State or Local Governments. Our focus is to fill development gaps and ensure integrated growth for the prosperity of our people,” he said.
The MD pledged fairness to all states in the distribution of projects, stressing that the Commission would not be distracted by sentiments of ethnicity, religion or tribe.
“As far as we are concerned, we are one North Central – united by common history, culture, food, traditions and challenges that must be tackled urgently,” he added. (NAN)