FG begins recruitment into N’West, S’East devt commission

The Federal Government has begun the recruitment exercise for the North West and South East Development Commissions, Saturday PUNCH has learnt.

Our correspondent also gathered that each commission’s headquarters would be in Kano and Enugu respectively.

President Bola Tinubu signed into law bills creating two new regional development commissions.

The bills are the North West Development Commission, sponsored by Deputy Senate President Jibrin Barau, and the South East Development Commission, sponsored by Deputy Speaker Benjamin Kalu.

The two bills were passed by both chambers in June and transmitted to the president for assent.

According to Senator Barau, when established, the North West Commission shall “formulate policies and guidelines for the development of the North West Zone where security shall prevail.

He added that the agency would also, “conceive, plan and implement, following the set rules and regulations, projects and programmes for the sustainable development of the North-West in the field of roads, education, health facilities, employment, industrialisation, agriculture, housing and urban development, water supply, electricity, and commerce.

“It will Identify factors inhibiting the development of the region and assist the member states in the formulation and implementation of policies to ensure sound and efficient management of resources of the North West Zone.

“As well as tackle ecological and environmental problems that arise from desertification problems and other related environmental challenges in the zone.”

“The enactment of this bill will help to rebuild the North West Zone and shall provide the opportunity for the people of the zone to display their talents and contribute immensely to the development of the country,” he stressed.

Likewise, the commission when formerly established will be charged with the responsibility of “receiving and managing funds from the allocation of the federation account for the reconstruction and rehabilitation of roads, houses, and other infrastructural damage suffered by the region as a result of the effects of the civil war, 54 years after it ended.

“The commission will also tackle ecological problems and any other related environmental or developmental challenges in the Southeast states, which include Abia, Imo, Enugu, Anambra, and Ebonyi,” the statement reads in part.

Speaking to our correspondent, a top source privy to the information said both commissions were not enshrined in the 2024 budget but would be added to the next budget cycle.

Similarly, the source noted that recruitment, however, into various positions in the commission had started.

The source said, “The commissions are not in the current appropriation. It is likely to be in the next budget to be presented in October/November.”

The source further stated “The commission will be recruiting for the time being. We don’t know when the inauguration will be for now.”

Another source who pleaded anonymity said that the commission will be situated in Kano and Enugu respectively.