By BANNERNEWS Reporter, Abuja
The Senate Committee on Regional Development has queried the North West Development Commission (NWDC) over the payment of about ₦943 million in board allowances and persistent administrative challenges, including the failure to appoint executive directors.
At an investigative session with officials of the commission and the Federal Ministry of Regional Development, lawmakers questioned why the NWDC remains the only regional development commission without executive directors despite being among the earliest established by an Act of the National Assembly.
The Minister of State for Regional Development, Alhaji Uba Maigari Ahmadu, attributed the commission’s prolonged difficulties to disputes over its headquarters in Kano. He said the ministry had to intervene after disagreements between the board and management over office accommodation hampered operations.
Ahmadu disclosed that the Kano State Government has now provided the commission with a fully furnished office, operational vehicles and a parcel of land. He said the ministry, board and management formally took possession of the facility last week, while all temporary offices were ordered shut to end the controversy.
Describing the absence of executive directors as a major setback, the minister said the commission’s management structure remains incomplete, unlike those of other regional development commissions. He noted that although the board was inaugurated in February 2025 to fast-track operations, internal crises have continued to slow its activities.
The committee also expressed concern over delayed board meetings, irregular financial records and what lawmakers described as excessive spending on board-related allowances. Senators questioned how the commission claimed to lack operational funds while incurring huge expenses on official visits and other administrative activities.
One senator specifically queried the payment of Duty Tour Allowance to the Managing Director for an official visit to the Governor of Kano State, despite the commission’s headquarters being located in Kano. The lawmaker also questioned claims for air tickets, local transport and other travel expenses for the engagement.
Lawmakers were particularly alarmed that documents presented to the committee showed that ₦943 million out of the commission’s total expenditure of ₦1.19 billion—about 79 per cent—was spent on board allowances. They described the spending as inconsistent with the commission’s mandate to drive development across the North-West and tackle insecurity and infrastructure deficits.
Responding, Chairman of the Governing Board, Professor Abdullahi Shehu Ma’aji, defended the expenditure, insisting that the board acted within the provisions of the North West Development Commission Act, 2024. He said the board had held seven meetings—five regular and two emergency sessions—and adopted 63 resolutions to establish the commission’s administrative and policy framework.
Despite the explanations, the committee insisted that concerns remain over delayed staff recruitment, slow implementation of approved capital projects and the overall pace of the commission’s operations.
