Senate Questions N943m Spending by North-West Development Commission

The Senate has questioned the N943 million spent on board allowances by the North-West Development Commission (NWDC), which was inaugurated by President Bola Tinubu on February 11, 2025. Several months later, the commission has not appointed an executive director, raising concerns about its operational effectiveness.

The Senate's investigation revealed that the NWDC has spent N1.19 billion, with N943 million allocated to board members, representing nearly 79% of its expenditures. The Senate described this spending as disturbing, especially given the commission's mandate to address pressing challenges such as insecurity and infrastructure deficits in the North-West region.

Abdullahi Lawal, the chairman of the NWDC board, explained that the commission has held seven meetings and passed 63 resolutions aimed at establishing a policy framework. However, the Senate insists that the Ministry of State for Regional Development, led by Alhaji Uba Maigari Ahmadu, has failed to complete the commission's management structure, particularly the appointment of an executive director, which has hindered its effectiveness.