Federal Government urges regional commissions toward economic diversification and self-sufficiency
via Punch Nigeria3 min read
The Federal Government has tasked the seven regional development commissions with prioritizing economic diversification and self-sufficiency, according to a communique released by Sani Datti, Head of Information and Public Relations. This directive followed a two-day retreat in Benin City, Edo State, organized by the Ministry of Regional Development in collaboration with the commissions. The retreat, themed “Generating Fresh Ideas to Unlock the Potential of the Regions,” aimed to accelerate regional development by strengthening governance systems, enhancing institutional collaboration, and unlocking new financing pathways. Participants emphasized adherence to governance frameworks, including the Public Procurement Act and international accounting standards, to ensure transparency and accountability. Resolutions included strengthening oversight functions of governing boards, institutionalizing capacity-building programs, and aligning procurement plans with budget cycles. Commissions were directed to invest in revenue-generating assets beyond statutory allocations and scale up skills acquisition programs in agriculture and small-scale enterprise development. The need for structured stakeholder engagement across regions on budgets, projects, and service delivery was also highlighted. Infrastructure development, including investments in electricity generation, intermodal transport systems, industrial clusters, and logistics networks, was identified as a critical priority to enhan
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